Own the historic villa next to Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech

Bohemian Europe’s fascination with Marrakech began at Villa MA, the iconic Cubist house designed for painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1930s outside the medina. Built at the centre of the Majorelle botanic garden, a one-hectare landscape of exotic plants and cacti, Majorelle’s creative retreat took on an electric hue that contrasted with the so-called ‘ochre city’ within the old walls, moments away.

Originally one expansive piece of land, today, Majorelle’s property is broken up. (French designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, famously purchased and rehabilitated the original villa and its garden.) This slice is a 625 sqm villa painted in the artist’s signature Majorelle Blue, located adjacent to the famous Jardin Marjorelle, with its own verdant garden.

Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty

Its petite footprint belies its palatial size. There are four en suite bedrooms within the main house, each with its own balcony. Moorish archways and open corridors festooned with tiles connect them to several lounges, fountains, and dining areas.

An adjacent pavilion, hidden within the jungle-like landscape, houses two more bedrooms and a living room, with the swimming pool and jasmine-laced deck in between. Many original 1960s features remain, including the terracotta pavers and zellige tiles.

The Marrakech property is available via Sotheby’s International Realty with price upon request.

The nearby Jardin Majorelle receives hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and the villa includes a 50 sq m boutique space to capitalise on the footfall.

Saint Laurent’s ashes were scattered at Jardin Majorelle and the popular Yves Saint Laurent museum operates next door.

26 May 2022 update: the original version of this article incorrectly stated that the villa is located within Jardin Majorelle. It is actually located next to it.