Do I need to book tickets in advance for the YSL Museum?

Yes, advance online booking is mandatory for the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Jardin Majorelle. Tickets often sell out several days in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons like spring and autumn.

What is the best time to visit Jardin Majorelle?

The best time is right at opening (usually 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM). Arriving early allows you to experience the gardens in peace and capture photos without large crowds in the frame.

Is the YSL walking route in Marrakech difficult?

No, it is an easy, flat walk. The terrain is mostly paved city sidewalks, making it accessible for most fitness levels and those with strollers.

Can I visit Villa Oasis, where Yves Saint Laurent lived?

Villa Oasis is the private residence of the late designer and is generally not open for public interior tours. However, you can view the exterior and the stunning entrance while visiting the adjacent Jardin Majorelle.

Is there a dress code for this walking route?

While there is no strict dress code for the museum or gardens, modest dress is recommended in Marrakech. If you plan to enter La Mamounia at the end of the walk, a smart-casual look is required as they have a dress code for visitors.

Is this walking tour Marrakech experience suitable for children?

Yes, children usually enjoy the vibrant colors of the Jardin Majorelle. However, the YSL Museum is more focused on fashion history and may be of less interest to younger children.

What are the highlights of the Yves Saint Laurent walk?

Key highlights include the YSL Museum's fashion collection, the iconic blue walls of Jardin Majorelle, and the historic luxury of La Mamounia hotel, which spans over 800 meters of garden paths.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

When Yves Saint Laurent first arrived in Marrakech in 1966, he famously remarked that the city 'taught him color.' This self-guided walking route invites you to explore the profound connection between the legendary French couturier and the Red City. Moving through the stylish Gueliz district, this neighborhood stroll captures the transition of Marrakech from a historic imperial capital to a global hub of art and design. You will discover how the vibrant hues of the souks and the geometric patterns of Islamic architecture transformed the world of high fashion forever. This walking tour Marrakech experience offers a deep dive into the legacy of Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, who spent decades preserving the city's botanical and architectural treasures. The journey begins at the sleek, terracotta-brick Yves Saint Laurent Museum, a masterpiece of contemporary design that houses some of the designer's most iconic creations. From there, you will wander down the street named in his honor toward the world-famous Jardin Majorelle. While many visitors simply see a garden, this walking route explains the site's rescue from demolition and its transformation into a sanctuary of cobalt blue and exotic flora. You will also pass the private Villa Oasis, the couple's personal residence, where the most intimate chapters of their Moroccan life unfolded. As you transition into the wider avenues of the 'Ville Nouvelle' or Gueliz, the atmosphere shifts to the colonial elegance of the early 20th century. A stop at the historic Grand Café de la Poste offers a glimpse into the social life of the era, while the walk concludes at the legendary La Mamounia hotel. Even if you have taken a guided tour Marrakech elsewhere, this independent journey allows you the time to linger under the palms and truly absorb the aesthetic that defined an era. Whether you are a fashion enthusiast or a lover of beautiful spaces, this self-guided walk provides a sophisticated perspective on the city Saint Laurent called his second home.

Highlights

The stunning contemporary architecture of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum

The vibrant 'Majorelle Blue' vistas of the Jardin Majorelle

The exterior of Villa Oasis, YSL's private Moroccan sanctuary

The 1920s colonial charm of the Grand Café de la Poste

The legendary gardens and luxury of the historic La Mamounia hotel

The transition between traditional Moroccan style and modern Parisian chic

Tour Stops (6)

Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Opened in 2017, this museum is a testament to the enduring bond between the designer and Marrakech. The building itself, designed by Studio KO, is a work of art, featuring a facade of terracotta bricks laid in a pattern that mimics the weave of fabric. Inside, the permanent collection showcases decades of YSL's work, including the famous 'Le Smoking' tuxedo and the Mondrian dress. Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé first visited Marrakech in 1966 during a rainy week, but by the time the sun came out, they were so enchanted they bought a house in the Medina. This museum serves as the starting point for understanding how the city's light and color palette revolutionized 20th-century fashion.

Rue Yves Saint Laurent

Walking down this short but significant thoroughfare, you are literally following the path that Saint Laurent took nearly every day. The street was renamed in his honor following his death in 2008, a rare tribute for a foreign national in Morocco. Notice how the atmosphere here is distinct from the bustling Medina; it is refined, lined with boutiques and concept stores that reflect the 'Marrakech Chic' aesthetic he helped popularize. This area serves as the gateway to the Majorelle district, a place that transitioned from an artist's private retreat to a global landmark under the designer's stewardship.

Jardin Majorelle

Created over forty years by French painter Jacques Majorelle, this botanical garden is famous for its vibrant 'Majorelle Blue' structures. When Majorelle died in 1962, the garden fell into disrepair and was slated for hotel development. In 1980, Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased the property to save it from destruction. They restored the garden and the Cubist villa, adding a diverse collection of cacti and exotic plants from five continents. Today, the garden is a sensory experience of color and light. It is also the site of the memorial to Saint Laurent, whose ashes were scattered here, ensuring he remains forever a part of this landscape.

Villa Oasis

Adjacent to the public garden lies Villa Oasis, the private residence where Saint Laurent and Bergé lived. While the interior is often closed to the general public, the exterior and the glimpses through the gates offer a look at their personal sanctuary. The villa's design is a masterclass in Moroccan craftsmanship, featuring intricate zellige tilework, carved cedar wood, and lush private courtyards. It was here that Saint Laurent would retreat to design his collections, often drawing inspiration from the very gardens you just walked through. The house represents the designer's deep respect for Moroccan artisans and his desire to live 'within' the culture rather than just observing it.

Grand Café de la Poste

Leaving the immediate Majorelle area, a short walk or quick taxi ride brings you to the heart of Gueliz. This café, dating back to the 1920s, was originally a post office and later a popular meeting spot during the French Protectorate. With its colonial-era shutters, palm trees, and brass fittings, it evokes the atmosphere of 1920s Marrakech. Saint Laurent and the international jet set of the 1970s often frequented such spots in the New City, bridging the gap between the ancient traditions of the Medina and the modern, cosmopolitan lifestyle of the Gueliz district. It is the perfect place to pause and imagine the city as it was when the fashion elite first discovered its charms.

La Mamounia

Our route concludes at La Mamounia, one of the world's most famous hotels. Before buying their own homes, Saint Laurent and Bergé stayed here, following in the footsteps of Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. The hotel's 20-acre gardens, filled with olive and orange trees, provided early inspiration for the designer. Even if you aren't staying as a guest, the public areas and gardens reflect the ultimate in Moroccan luxury and 'Art de Vivre.' It was here that the glamorous, bohemian spirit of the 1960s and 70s Marrakech was forged, a spirit that Saint Laurent captured and exported to the fashion runways of Paris.

Frequently Asked Questions

The walk takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes. This includes time to explore the museum and gardens, plus the 20-30 minute walk or short taxi ride between the Majorelle area and the Gueliz district.