Workshops Inspired by the Garden
Small-group, hands-on sessions that turn a garden visit into a lasting skill
Learning Beyond the Garden Walls
Many travellers leave Jardin Majorelle wishing they could take something more than photographs home with them. Our workshops were created to answer that wish. They take place in our own studio space in Guéliz, a short walk from the garden, and never inside the garden itself. Each session draws on the plants, colours and design ideas that make the garden so memorable, and translates them into practical skills you can continue to use long after your trip to Morocco has ended.
All workshops are limited to a maximum of eight participants, so every person receives individual attention from the facilitator. Materials are included, sessions are conducted in English with French available on request, and no previous experience is needed. We welcome solo travellers, couples, families with children aged ten and above, and small groups of friends who want to share a creative morning or afternoon together.
Please note that our workshops are an independent service offered by Jardin Omaëlle SARL. They do not include entry to Jardin Majorelle, and attending a workshop does not give any priority access to the garden. Garden tickets must always be purchased through the official channels of the garden.
Current Workshop Programme
Botanical Sketching
A relaxed three-hour session introducing the basics of botanical drawing with pencil and watercolour. Participants study real cuttings of palms, agaves and bougainvillea, learning how to observe leaf structure, capture shadow and mix the deep cobalt tones associated with the famous garden villa. You leave with a small finished study and a printed technique sheet.
Cactus and Succulent Care
A practical two-hour class covering soil mixtures, watering rhythms, propagation from offsets and leaf cuttings, and safe handling of spiny species. It is ideal for anyone who wants to grow arid plants at home, whether on a sunny balcony in Europe or a courtyard in North Africa. Each participant pots a small succulent arrangement to take away.
Natural Colour and Dyes
Morocco has a long tradition of colouring wool and leather with plant-based pigments such as indigo, henna, pomegranate rind and saffron. In this three-hour workshop you will learn how these colours are prepared and fixed, then dye a cotton scarf using traditional methods adapted for a studio setting.
Garden Photography Walk
A guided walk through the public streets and green spaces of Guéliz with a professional photographer, focusing on light, composition and colour in bright North African conditions. We discuss how to photograph respectfully in public places, including when and how to ask permission before taking pictures of people.
How a Workshop Day Works
Workshops begin at our studio at 12, Rue de la Palmeraie in Guéliz. On arrival you are welcomed with mint tea and a short introduction to the plants and materials we will use during the session. The facilitator explains the plan for the day, demonstrates each technique step by step, and then gives every participant time to practise at their own pace. There is always a short break with seasonal fruit and water.
Morning sessions start at 9:30 and are the most popular from April to October, when afternoons can become very hot. Afternoon sessions start at 15:00 and are especially pleasant in the cooler months between November and March. Private workshops can be arranged for families, wedding parties, school groups and companies, with content adapted to the age and interests of the participants.
Practical Information
- All materials, aprons, tea and light refreshments are included in the workshop fee.
- Comfortable clothing is recommended for the dye workshop, as natural pigments can mark fabric.
- The studio is on the ground floor and accessible to wheelchair users; please let us know your needs in advance.
- Children aged ten to fifteen are welcome when accompanied by a participating adult.
- Requests can be made through our contact form and are confirmed by email within one working day.
- Cancellations made at least 48 hours before the session are free of charge.
Our facilitators are local artists, horticulturists and photographers who live and work in Marrakech. By joining a workshop you directly support independent creative professionals in the city. Prices for every session are listed transparently on our pricing page, with no hidden supplements and no commission-based upselling of any kind.