Amidst the bustling, eclectic ambience of the souks & kasbahs of Marrakech stands one of North Africa’s most diverse, abundant gardens – the JARDIN MAJORELLE – a tranquil haven conceived by the artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924. Opened to the public in 1947 and acquired by the fashion designer YVES SAINT LAURENT and his partner PIERRE BERGÉ in 1980, the garden remains a public attraction today – offering a rare glimpse into this rich and intriguing fusion of traditional and European design of the early 20th century. The 1931 villa nestled within the grounds is rendered in a rich cerulean blue (a customary local color that was henceforth labelled ‘bleu majorelle’ after the artist’s liberal use of the tone attracted international attention). Originally drawn up by architect Paul Sinoir as ‘the blue workshop’, the building currently houses the Islamic Art Museum.
