The well-known phrase ″must de Cartier″ refers to a highly desirable object from the House of Cartier, a ″must-have″. My ″must de Marrakech″ would be the Jardin Majorelle, which although not for sale, can still be visited. It is a must for every visitor to this fantastic city; a garden to be indulged in, so to speak. Every time I visit this place it is a new sensory experience, for the nose and particularly for the eyes. Jacques Majorelle’s work as a painter is increasingly attracting acclaim in the art world, yet the garden he created in the 1920s is his real masterpiece. The garden itself, essentially a botanical garden, houses mainly succulents and palms from all five continents. Then there are the many-coloured varieties of Bougainvillea which blossom almost continuously throughout the year. They provide a magnificently lush contrast to the otherwise dominant desert plants. The concept followed by the garden designer is somewhat difficult to fathom. In any case, the densely-planted, in some cases very tall succulents create a confused jumble, which has indeed its own charm. Plants normally at home in very sparse regions are displayed here in crowded chaos, resulting in an
overflowing opulence, in stark contrast to their indigenous environment, and the visitor suddenly sees these plants in an altogether new light. The garden has something magical, and a uniqueness, only comparable perhaps to the Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo in Lazio, Italy, a sacred grove dating from the 16th century, a mystical garden full of surreal figures whose significance remains a mystery to this day. Salvador Dali was partly responsible for its discovery and restoration in the 1960’s. The Jardin Majorelle has a similar story to tell. Here too it took if not centuries then decades for the prince to appear and release the sleeping beauty from her sleep. The prince was the late Yves Saint Laurent, together with his partner Pierre Bergé. Fortunately they both recognised the hidden potential of the garden and took it under their wing. The garden has actually been accessible to the public since 1947, but only since YSL’s purchase in 1980 could the garden’s neglect and progressive decline be halted.
On my most recent visit to Marrakech last December I just had to indulge myself again, and succumb to its enchanting and suggestive atmosphere. A particular shade of cobalt blue used generously by Majorelle in his garden is named after him: majorelle blue. It adorns not only the terracotta bowls, amphoras and vases found in every nook and cranny, but also the two architecturally curious little buildings, which house the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech. Also on show here are wonderful creations by the grand couturier himself, inspired by Marrakech and Morocco. This blue effectively plays the main role in this garden, even if it appears to cover only the surfaces. The intensity of atmosphere it brings about is so great, that a visit to this garden becomes a must for anyone who wants to gratify the senses in any way,
should they have the opportunity to visit this colourful city, redolent of the Thousand and One Nights fairytales.
Pergola with Philodendron
The Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech
A composition of various succulents in the evening sunshine
The big fountain in the centre of the garden
The entrance to the garden
Leave a Reply