The iconic Jardin Majorelle and the Majorelle Garden Foundation in Marrakech commemorate their centennial in 2024 with a year-long series of planned celebrations and cultural events designed to attract visitors from near and far.
The Majorelle Garden announced in a statement that this 100th year features a remarkable celebration “invoking a century of marvel and camaraderie at the heart of Marrakech.”
Established in 1924 by the celebrated French artist Jacques Majorelle, this exotic oasis has a rich history. It began when the painter acquired a piece of land on what was then the outskirts of Marrakech’s Palmeraie, where he built a villa and cultivated a garden that has since become an iconic symbol of the city. The garden was eventually opened to the public by its creator.
Described as a “unique experience where history, nature, and culture converge in a captivating setting,” the garden has been a beloved destination for visitors. In 1980, the late Pierre Bergé, a businessman and patron of the arts who co-founded the Yves Saint Laurent label, along with fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent acquired the garden, transforming it into one of Morocco’s most popular tourist attractions and art centers.
The Jardin Majorelle features an eclectic array of plants, colorful flowers, blooming cacti, and immense palm trees with the backdrop of the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, painted in the famous royal blue color known now as bleu Majorelle–one of two renowned museums on the site. The other is the Yves Saint Laurent Museum Marrakech, which features many of the drawings and designs of Yves St Laurent, carefully preserved and documented. These cultural institutions add an artistic dimension to the oasis, providing an immersive experience for nature and art enthusiasts, and rendering it a real refuge from the hullabaloo of Marrakech.
A variety of events including exhibitions, meetings, conferences, concerts, and screenings will be held throughout 2024, offering the public a chance to participate in the centennial celebrations.