Attraction
Jardin Majorelle
Jacques Majorelle's cobalt-blue villa and cactus garden, later owned by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, with a museum of Amazigh culture inside the villa.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech
A museum devoted to the couturier Yves Saint Laurent, opened in 2017 beside the Jardin Majorelle, with a permanent collection hall, temporary exhibitions, a library and an auditorium.
At a glance
- Type
- Fashion museum
- Area
- Guéliz, Marrakech, Morocco
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Wednesday) · 10:00–18:00
- Official site
- museeyslmarrakech.com
Good to know
- Temporary exhibition hall
- Library
- Auditorium
Why we recommend it
Yves Saint Laurent first visited Marrakech in the 1960s and kept a home here for the rest of his life, and this museum, which opened to the public in October 2017, sets out that relationship through his work. It stands a few steps from the Jardin Majorelle on the street that now bears his name, and it was conceived by the foundation set up by Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé.
The building, designed by Studio KO, is worth looking at before you go in. Its walls are made of locally fired earth bricks laid in patterns that suggest woven fabric, and the mix of cubes and curves gives it a quiet, sculptural presence. Inside, the main hall presents a rotating selection of garments, accessories and drawings from the couture house's archive, displayed in a dark, carefully lit space. A second hall hosts temporary exhibitions on fashion, art and Moroccan culture.
The museum also has a research library and an auditorium, which hosts screenings and talks, plus a bookshop and a café. Fashion and design enthusiasts will want to give it at least an hour; others may find forty-five minutes enough for the permanent hall and whatever temporary show is on. It is a calm, air-conditioned contrast to the medina and works well on a hot afternoon.
The museum is open every day except Wednesday, from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30. If you are planning to see both the museum and the Jardin Majorelle, avoid Wednesdays and book through the official Majorelle ticketing site, which covers the garden and the museums. Morning visits to the garden followed by the museum later in the day tend to spread the crowds.
Getting there is simplest by taxi from the medina, asking for Majorelle or Rue Yves Saint Laurent. Afterwards, central Guéliz, with its cafés and galleries, is a short ride or a longer walk away, and the Grand Café de la Poste makes a good stop for lunch. Photography rules inside the galleries can vary by exhibition, so follow the signs or ask the staff at the entrance. Large bags may need to be left at the cloakroom, so travel light if you can.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech FAQs
Which day is the museum closed?
It is closed on Wednesdays.
What are the opening hours?
From 10:00 to 18:00 on the days it opens, with last entry at 17:30.
When did the museum open?
It opened to the public in October 2017.
Who designed the building?
The architecture practice Studio KO designed the museum.
How long should you allow?
About an hour for the permanent collection and the temporary exhibition hall.
How do you buy tickets?
Through the official Jardin Majorelle ticketing website, which also covers the garden and the Berber museum.
Is it near the Jardin Majorelle?
Yes. Both are on Rue Yves Saint Laurent in Guéliz, a few minutes apart on foot.