Behind the Pink Walls: A Morning in the Majorelle Gardens

Discover the gardens, culture and private sanctuary that inspired Yves Saint Laurent.

On another warm morning in Marrakech, we tumbled out of the van, heads ducked, shoes coated in the fine powder that covers every street.

I’ll admit, I hadn’t even heard of Jardin Majorelle until a couple of weeks before the trip. Its connection to Yves Saint Laurent made me raise an eyebrow, but Marrakech has taught me to never judge a place by its pink stucco exterior. Behind plain walls often hides an oasis.

Inside, the garden instantly calms with cool shade from towering bamboo, koi gliding in still ponds, and splashes of cobalt blue and emerald green painted on pots. It feels both designed and effortless.

The special moment during the garden stroll came with a single pomegranate tree in a planter, proudly displaying the full cycle of life- a tiny hot pink bud, a half-formed fruit in its awkward teenage stage, and a nearly full-grown pomegranate ready for its starring role in a salad. I’ve never been a fan - too many seeds, too much fuss - but seeing it here felt like a reminder of patience and promise.

“We can arrange for our clients a chance to see firsthand the private sanctuary where Saint Laurent found his muse. It’s a rare privilege, and one of those experiences that stays with you long after the trip.”

And just when you think the morning couldn’t get richer, there’s Villa Oasis - the serene retreat of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Acquired in 1980, it became Saint Laurent’s personal sanctuary, a place where Morocco’s bold colors, textures, and artistic energy fueled some of his most iconic designs. The villa isn’t open to the public in the usual sense as only five lucky visitors at a time are welcomed for an intimate tour- and at a premium. Inside, you wander through vibrant rooms layered with detail, imagining Saint Laurent sketching in the corner or pausing at the window for inspiration. It feels less like visiting a museum and more like stepping into the creative heartbeat of a genius.

The Berber Museum tucked within the gardens was, unexpectedly, the highlight. The jewelry room in particular was unforgettable: a room of mirrors and tiny sparkling lights reflecting into eternity.  The powerful displays of native heritage objets d’arts were highlighted dramatically with crisp white light in the dark reflective room.  Some pieces looked ceremonial, some like armor, all of them impressive.  Delicate metalwork complemented globes of amber and other precious stones. In the next room, faceless mannequins wore clothing intricately woven with hearty yarns.  Some looks certainly influenced modern haute couture, and looked like they could have walked straight off a runway show, layering ponchos, frocks, knit asymmetrical overalls, hoods and capes. Walking through, you felt the weight of a culture that stretches back centuries, still very much alive, enhanced by the surround sound of Berber chants.

Just down the street, the YSL Museum took the mood in a different direction. The building itself is a work of art with brickwork mimicking woven fabric and soft colors balancing strong materials with elegance. Inside, couture pieces from the collection of Hamish Bowles sat dramatically in a darkened gallery, each one more theatrical than the last. Some were timeless, others impossibly impractical (how does one even sit in those gowns?), but all of them fascinating. A short film showing the delicate packing and preservation of these garments was oddly mesmerizing, watching gloved hands carefully give shape to jackets and dresses so they could travel safely was its own kind of performance.

“Marrakech has a way of surprising you: behind every plain wall lives something extraordinary.”

Like all good museums, both experiences ended too soon, nudging us out through gift shops filled with colorful temptations. Waiting for us outside was our guide, Chakib, perfectly put together in light-grey trousers, a crisp white shirt, and a sky-blue cap embroidered with “MAINE.” In the bustle of Marrakech, he looked impossibly cool.

The Majorelle Gardens may be one of Marrakech’s most-visited spots, but for me, the morning wasn’t just about Yves Saint Laurent or bold architecture. It was about unexpected moments - a flash of shade, a glittering room of jewelry, and a pomegranate tree quietly showing off its stages of life.

When you’re ready to experience Marrakech, we’ll open the doors to these hidden corners, exclusive visits, private guides, and the kind of moments that make a trip unforgettable.

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