• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Lambs Ears and Honey | A Food & Travel Blog
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Work With Me
  • Cookbooks
  • Cookbook Club
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me – Lambs Ears and Honey
  • Work With Me
×
Home » Tourism » Majorelle Garden, Marrakech – A Rhapsody in Blue

Majorelle Garden, Marrakech – A Rhapsody in Blue

09/06/2014 by Amanda

Share

Share
Pin

It’s an exciting city, but life can be tricky for the tourist on the streets of Marrakech. The traffic is chaotic – both four-wheeled and four-legged, the footpaths often non-existent and navigation can be challenging – to say the least. The minute the confused traveller stops to take out his map to orientate himself he’s a marked man (or woman) and easy prey for the many charming and “helpful” local chancers who are only too pleased to help guide you. Of course, where they will guide you to is another matter entirely.

It was our first day in Marrakech and we were headed for a spot we had been promised was an oasis of peace and beauty in the middle of the city, the Majorelle Garden. This 12 acre garden is a much visited part of Marrakech and well worth the effort it may take you to find it. Designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920′ and 30’s, it fell into disrepair after his death and was bought and beautifully restored by fashion designer Yves St Laurent and his partner in 1980. St Laurent adored the garden and when he died his ashes were scattered here and a striking memorial was erected.

Stopping outside of the medina to get our bearings we were immediately approached by a delightful young man who was keen to help. Unfortunately, he informed us, the garden was closed today, but he could take us to a wonderful alternative spot which we would love. He was persistent in the face of our refusals, following us for many blocks and trying to engage my increasingly irritated husband in amiable chat. Apparently the usual ploy is that you are guided to the wonderful alternative which will be (surprise, surprise) closed and you will be (again with the surprise) completely lost. However your helpful new best friend will help you find your way back for a small fee. We weren’t buying it, although I felt a little sorry for him – after all, everyone needs to make a living.

Rather cleverly, we navigated our way to Majorelle Garden under our own steam, relieved to step into such a peaceful space after dodging motor bikes, cars, trucks and donkeys all the way there. The garden features long shaded paths, lush groves of bamboo and palms, plantations of rare succulents, cooling water in the form of many channels, pools and fountains and the most glorious and distinctive shade of blue paintwork on all of the walls and buildings. Known as Majorelle blue, this exceptional shade of cobalt blue is almost impossible to source elswhere, but can be purchased in the (pricey) gift store on the premises.

Nestled in the heart of the garden is a museum featuring a beautifully curated collection of historic Berber artefacts – none of which we could photograph due to stern signs and vigilant security staff. There is also an outrageously expensive gift shop where you can purchase overpriced memorabilia, including tins of the iconic blue paint, and a delightful tea shop which is the perfect spot to relax and take a cup or two of mint tea. Here, like me, you might like to take the time to ponder the wisdom of just having bought a couple of tins of paint and wonder how on earth you will get them home intact in your luggage.

All of the images in this post were taken by my daughter Maeve, who kindly stepped in to help while I was in a shoulder-to-fingers plaster.

[mc4wp_form id="16750"]

Related posts

  • A Food Tour With a Difference – Adelaide’s Unique Culinary Tourism Offering A Food Tour With a Difference – Adelaide’s Unique Culinary Tourism Offering
  • The Edge of the World – Visiting the Outer Hebrides The Edge of the World – Visiting the Outer Hebrides
  • Iceland in Summer Iceland in Summer
  • A Wildlife Sanctuary with a Difference – New Zealand’s Tāwharanui Regional Park A Wildlife Sanctuary with a Difference – New Zealand’s Tāwharanui Regional Park
  • Fabulous Adelaide Hills Accommodation Options – See South Australia First Fabulous Adelaide Hills Accommodation Options – See South Australia First

Share

Share
Pin
« Fennel, Orange & Salmon Bake
Wish You Were Here Postcards – The Medina of Fes, Morocco »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Food Sage

    June 09, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    Sounds idyllic after street life & lucky chancers! Isn’t that Marjorelle blue awesome – great shots Maeve.

  2. leaf (the indolent cook)

    June 10, 2014 at 2:10 am

    So much blue! It’s always nice to have an oasis like this is the midst of a busy city.

  3. Kate

    June 10, 2014 at 7:23 am

    I adored these gardens !! I did not realise they took up 12 acres though, what a haven in the chaos !!

  4. Elizabeth

    June 10, 2014 at 8:47 am

    Majorelle Gardens will be added to my list of “to do’s” when in I finally get to Marrekesh so thank you. Yes, the very persistent offers of assistance by young men seems to be the norm from what I hear – however, you did well finding the gardens by yourselves. Great photos of the lovely cobalt blue, and good luck with your paint tins – keep us posted.

  5. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    June 10, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    Lovely photos Amanda and Maeve! The blue is so striking 🙂

  6. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    June 10, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    What a beautiful place. My sister has visited Marrakesh and said I must go one day. Your photos certainly second her comments.

  7. Gerlinde | Sunnycovechef

    June 13, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    I was just there and your photos are amazing and very beautiful. I liked the garden and the Museum I had a wonderful time in Marrakech .

  8. Bec

    July 10, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    Gorgeous pics! And that blue is the most divine shade, so pretty and vibrant. Bec

Primary Sidebar

Don't run the risk of missing a post! Subscribe to Lamb's Ears and Honey

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Connect with me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Recent Posts

join the cookbook club

Join the Cookbook Club in October – And Get the Cookbook Free!

leave single-use plastic behind

Leave Single-Use Plastics Behind – With the Help of the Fleurieu Milk Company

join the cookbook club

Food from Iran to Italy in September – And a FREE Gift For All Members in October!

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Lemon, Smoked Paprika & Green Olives - trusted recipes

More Trusted Recipes for August in the Cookbook Club

COMMENTS, FEEDBACK, QUESTIONS?

I love to hear what you think so please leave a comment or ask me a question!

Search This Website

Archives

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

Footer

Featured Recipes

Featured Posts

COPYRIGHT © 2023 LAMBS' EARS AND HONEY