Villa Oasis Yves Saint Laurent’s Moroccan Sanctuary Finally Opens its Doors

Villa Oasis, the private Marrakech retreat nestled within Jardin Majorelle, has quietly transitioned from legend to lived experience, opening its doors to visitors for the first time in a meaningful way. Long celebrated as Yves Saint Laurent’s sanctuary, the house now offers a rare, controlled glimpse into the intimate world that fed some of his most influential collections.​

A designer’s private refuge

Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought Jardin Majorelle in 1980, saving it from development and renaming the former painter’s residence Villa Oasis, which became their home in Morocco. For decades, the villa functioned as a private refuge where Saint Laurent read, sketched, and recovered from the pace of Paris, while only the surrounding gardens welcomed the public.

Inside Villa Oasis

The interiors are known for saturated color, intricate tilework, and densely layered rooms that mix Moroccan craft with European antiques. Visitors now encounter mosaic floors, painted cedarwood, patterned textiles, and personal objects that maintain the feeling of an inhabited home rather than a staged museum set.

A new layer to Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle is one of Morocco’s most visited attractions, drawing close to 900,000 visitors a year in recent seasons. Opening Villa Oasis, even partially and often by timed or limited access, adds a deeper narrative to the site, connecting the famous blue garden directly to Saint Laurent’s working and resting life.

Access and visiting

The Jardin Majorelle is open daily, with the Private Garden of Villa Oasis accessible on specific days and hours, and closed on Wednesdays. This approach reflects a managed, preservation-led approach rather than allowing mass entry. Prospective visitors are encouraged to check official Jardin Majorelle and Fondation Jardin Majorelle channels for the latest on booking, schedules, and any small-group interior tours.