Marrakech, Morocco

Jardin
Majorelle

An independent guide to one of the world's most extraordinary botanical gardens — its history, plants, tickets, and the enduring legacy of Yves Saint Laurent.

Majorelle Garden Tickets & Entry Opening Hours YSL Museum Visitor Guide

About Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle is a botanical garden and artist's landscape garden in Marrakech, Morocco, covering some 12 acres in the Guéliz quarter of the city. It was created by French Orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle (1886–1962) who spent decades designing and developing the grounds around his Moorish studio.

Majorelle arrived in Marrakech in 1917 to recover from illness and fell irreversibly under the spell of the city. Between 1923 and 1962 he cultivated an ambitious garden, planting species collected from five continents, designing elaborate tile fountains and pergolas, and eventually painting the architecture in a vivid cobalt blue that would come to bear his name worldwide: Majorelle Blue.

After Majorelle's death and subsequent financial difficulties, the garden fell into neglect and was threatened with demolition for a hotel development. In 1980 fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé purchased the garden and embarked on a meticulous restoration. Under their stewardship — and that of the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent after Pierre Bergé's death in 2017 — the garden has been continuously improved and expanded.

Today Jardin Majorelle attracts more than 700,000 visitors annually, making it among the most-visited tourist sites on the African continent and a symbol of Marrakech recognised around the world.

Garden at a Glance

LocationGuéliz, Marrakech
Created1923 – 1962
Area~12 acres
Plant species300+
Annual visitors700,000+
Restored byYSL & Bergé, 1980
YSL Museum opened2017
Admission zoneUNESCO World Heritage City

Plants & Flora

The garden contains more than 300 plant species gathered from across five continents, creating an extraordinary tapestry of tropical and desert vegetation.

B

Giant Bamboo

Towering groves of bamboo rise up to 12 metres, creating shaded canopies and a distinctive sound in the Marrakech breeze.

C

Cacti & Succulents

An extensive collection of cacti from the Americas stands in striking geometric arrangements against the blue-painted walls.

P

Palms

Fan palms, date palms and coconut palms punctuate the skyline, giving the garden its unmistakably tropical character.

W

Water Lilies

Reflecting pools planted with water lilies and surrounded by papyrus create peaceful focal points throughout the garden.

G

Bougainvillea

Cascades of vibrant bougainvillea drape over pergolas and walls, adding brilliant colour throughout the spring and summer months.

L

Lotus & Aquatic Plants

African lotus flowers and other aquatic species thrive in the garden's ornamental pools, fed by traditional Moroccan water channels.

Tickets & Entry

Jardin Majorelle offers several ticket options depending on which attractions you wish to visit. The garden, the Berber Museum and the adjacent Yves Saint Laurent Museum each have separate admission fees. The table below reflects reference prices from publicly available sources — always verify the current prices directly with the venue before your visit.

Category Price (MAD)
Garden only — Adults 150 MAD
Garden only — Children (under 12) 70 MAD
Garden + Berber Museum 200 MAD
YSL Museum — Adults 120 MAD
YSL Museum — Children 60 MAD
Garden + Berber Museum + YSL Museum from 290 MAD

Reference prices only. Fees are subject to change. Please verify current prices on the official Jardin Majorelle website before visiting.

Booking Your Tickets

  • Online booking is strongly recommended, especially during peak season (October – April)
  • Tickets often sell out during holidays and school vacations — book at least 2–3 days in advance
  • Entry is timed; arrive no more than 15 minutes before your slot
  • Children under 3 enter free of charge
  • Photography for personal use is permitted throughout the garden
  • Commercial photography requires a separate permit from the garden management
  • No refunds for tickets once purchased; exchanges may be possible with advance notice
  • Group discounts may be available — enquire directly with the venue

Plan Your Visit

Jardin Majorelle is located in the Guéliz district of Marrakech, easily reached from both the medina and the ville nouvelle. The garden is open year-round with seasonal opening times.

Opening Hours

  • October – April08:00 – 18:00
  • May – September08:00 – 18:30
  • Last entry30 min before close
  • Year-roundOpen daily

The garden may close on select Moroccan national holidays. Check the official website for any closures before your visit. The YSL Museum keeps its own separate schedule.

Getting There

ADR
Address

Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Guéliz, 40000 Marrakech, Morocco

TAXI
By Taxi

Petit taxis from Jemaa el-Fna take 5–10 minutes. Agree the fare before departure or insist on the meter.

WALK
On Foot

Approximately 20–25 minutes walking from the medina through Avenue Mohammed V.

BUS
By City Bus

Several Alsa Bus routes serve the Guéliz district. Stops within a short walk of the garden entrance.

The Yves Saint Laurent Legacy

Yves Saint Laurent first set foot in Marrakech in 1966 and described it as a revelation — a place where colour, light and culture converged in ways that would permanently shape his creative vision. "Marrakech taught me colour," he said. He returned repeatedly throughout his career, drawing direct inspiration from the city's dyes, fabrics and architecture.

In 1980 Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé purchased Jardin Majorelle, saving it from imminent demolition. They invested extensively in its restoration, replanting depleted sections, repairing water features and repainting the buildings in Majorelle Blue. The garden became YSL's personal retreat, a place of deep emotional significance.

After Yves Saint Laurent's death in June 2008, Pierre Bergé arranged for his ashes to be scattered in the rose garden within Jardin Majorelle — a fitting memorial in the place Saint Laurent had loved most. A simple stele marks the spot.

In 2017, a year before Pierre Bergé's own death, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech (YSL Museum) opened in a purpose-built building adjacent to the garden. The museum houses a permanent collection of couture garments, accessories, sketches and photographs documenting Saint Laurent's extraordinary fifty-year career.

1966
YSL and Bergé visit Marrakech for the first time; fall in love with the city.
1980
Purchase of Jardin Majorelle; restoration begins immediately.
2008
Yves Saint Laurent passes away. His ashes are interred in the garden's rose garden.
2011
Berber Museum (Musée de la Berbérie) opens within the garden premises.
2017
Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech opens adjacent to the garden.
"I have known fear and the terrors of solitude. I have known those fair-weather friends we call tranquillisers and drugs. I have known the prison of depression and the confinement of hospital. But one day I was able to emerge from all that darkness. And Marrakech was part of my deliverance."
— Yves Saint Laurent

Musée YSL Marrakech

The Yves Saint Laurent Museum opened in October 2017 next door to Jardin Majorelle. Designed by Studio KO, the 4,000 m² building houses 50 haute couture garments, 45 fashion accessories, 9,000 original sketches and 5,000 fabric samples from the YSL archives.

A separate entrance ticket is required. The museum has its own café and bookshop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Online ticket purchase is available and strongly recommended, particularly during the high season from October through April. During peak periods — school holidays, public festivals and spring weekends — tickets may sell out days in advance. Booking online also allows you to select a specific entry time slot, helping to manage your visit and avoid long queues at the gate.
Most visitors spend between one and two hours walking through the botanical garden and the Berber Museum. If you plan to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum as well, allow an additional one to two hours. The full experience — garden, Berber Museum and YSL Museum — typically takes three to four hours. Early morning visits (08:00–10:00) offer the most comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds.
Spring (March–May) is widely regarded as the most beautiful season: temperatures are mild (18–26°C), flowers are in bloom and the garden's vegetation is at its most lush. Autumn (September–November) is similarly pleasant. Summer months (June–August) can see temperatures above 40°C in Marrakech — visiting first thing in the morning is essential. Winter visits (December–February) offer cool, uncrowded conditions with occasional rain.
Personal photography is generally permitted throughout the garden and is widely practised. Tripods and professional equipment may require permission. Commercial photography — shoots for advertising, editorial or commercial purposes — requires a separate permit obtained in advance from the garden management. Photography within the YSL Museum may be restricted in certain areas; follow any signage within the museum.
The main pathways through the garden are largely paved and accessible, though some areas feature uneven surfaces, steps and narrow paths typical of a historic botanical garden. Wheelchairs may be available on request — contact the venue in advance to confirm current accessibility provisions. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum is fully accessible with lift access between floors.
The garden is located in Guéliz, Marrakech's modern ville nouvelle district. Nearby attractions include the Gueliz neighbourhood's galleries and contemporary restaurants. A short taxi or walk brings you to the medina, home to the Jemaa el-Fna square, the Koutoubia Mosque and the historic souks. Other gardens of interest in Marrakech include the Agdal Garden and Menara Garden, both royal properties with centuries of history.

Resources

Independent reference sources for planning your visit to Jardin Majorelle and exploring Marrakech.

Jardin Majorelle

Official website of the garden with current ticket prices, opening hours and online booking information.

Musée YSL Marrakech

The official site of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum Marrakech, including exhibition programme and visitor information.

Moroccan National Tourism Office

Official tourism body for Morocco providing destination guides, travel advice and event calendars.

Marrakech Tourism

Local tourism authority with maps, guides to Marrakech's medina, souks, riads and day trips.

Fondation Pierre Bergé – YSL

The foundation that manages both the garden and the museum, preserving the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent.

UNESCO World Heritage — Medina of Marrakech

UNESCO documentation on the Medina of Marrakech, a World Heritage Site since 1985.

Terms of Use (AGB)

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