Jardin Majorelle – Enchanting urban oasis

It honks and hums. Mopeds, donkeys, horse-drawn carriages, cars of all kinds and pedestrians crowd past me. Moving on the streets of Marrakech is like slaloming through a swarm of ants. All my senses are challenged, if not overwhelmed in between. For example, when I have to cross the street. Yes, Marrakech challenges me. But fortunately, the city offers enough retreats where you can leave the noise and the hustle and bustle behind you with the step through the entrance gate and thus recharge your batteries for the next dose of “Marrakech”.

One such haven of peace is the Jardin Majorelle in the Guéliz district. It is located behind rust-red painted high walls – a hortus conclusus. From Rue Yves Saint Laurent, you have no idea that the walls enclose a paradisiacal garden. We pass through a narrow archway and enter the oasis of peace. The path winds past a fountain through thick bamboo thickets. Each step opens up a new perspective on the garden. No wonder, after all, the botanical garden was created in the twenties of the last century by the French artist Jacques Majorelle. He planted exotic plants around the magnificent cobalt blue studio, which still smell beguiling today and loosen up the green thicket with strong red and purple tones. After the garden was already open to the public in the early 1950s, it fell into oblivion until 1980, when fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner discovered the idyll for themselves and gradually restored the gardens. Today, a statue commemorates the fashion designer, who died in 2008.

We let our senses be beguiled by the variety of colours, the sweet scents and the chirping of the birds on a tour of the gardens. The hustle and bustle of the city on the other side of the high walls is forgotten for a brief moment. As a last act before we dive back into the hustle and bustle, we enjoy a traditional mint tea at Café Bousafsaf. The café is also located in the garden and invites you to linger.

• Entrance to Jardin Majorelle 50 dirhams/person
• Open daily
• Mint tea with pastries 30 dirhams/person

Note: My trip to Marrakech was supported by La Mamounia – thank you very much for this. As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm here.