Jardin Marjorelle on Weekend Snapshot

The breathtaking Jardin Marjorelle is the most beautiful garden in Marrakech, combining lush vegetation with traditional Moroccan architectural elements. The French painter and plant collector Jacques Majorelle (1888-1962) settled in Marrakech in 1923 and laid out a subtropical garden, which opened to the public in 1947.

After a car accident he returned to France and the garden became overgrown. The French designer Yves-Saint Laurent bought it in 1980, restored it with Pierre Bergé and founded a small museum of Islamic art. Bamboo, towering palms and huge cacti flourish next to a goldfish pond sustaining aquatic plants. Ultramarine walls and tiles are set against the cool green foliage.