Glorious Gardens
Kettaras, 11th-century underground irrigation canals, still supply city gardens with water, alongside more modern systems introduced by the French. Amid acres of olive groves, the pool and pavilion of the Menara Gardens look out to the distant High Atlas mountains dusted with snow. Particularly impressive in the late afternoon, it’s a favourite picnicking place for Marrakechis.
In the walled Majorelle Gardens, made famous by couturier Yves St Laurent, terracotta-tiled paths meander among tall cacti, papyrus and bamboo, pools are lazy with lotus and waterlilies, exotic plants drip with colourful blossoms. Painted in vivid cobalt blue, the studio of the garden’s original owner, the French artist Jacques Majorelle, now houses the Museum of Islamic Art with an exquisite collection of jewellery and ceramics, textiles, carpets and carvings. A cheap taxi ride from the city centre, it’s like stepping into another world.
Menara Gardens
Avenue de la Menara, about 2km from the old city.
Open daily from 5 am until around 6.30 pm. Free admission. The No. 11 bus will take you from the Medina to the gardens.
Majorelle Gardens
Off the Avenue Yacoub el Mansour.
Tel: +212 (0)24 30 18 52. www.jardinmajorelle.com
Open daily: from October to May 8 am to 5 pm, June to September 8 am to 6 pm.
Admission 30 DHS.
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Jardin Majorelle
Added 2008/06/09 @ 23:40:20
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