Discovering Marrakech

Marrakech has been on the top of my travel list for as long as I can remember. Even more so after visiting Essaouira a few years ago. There’s something other-worldly about Morocco that appeals to all my senses. The vibrancy of the city was evident from the moment I stepped into the medina, just minutes away from my luxurious home at Riad Farnatchi. From here I wandered until I was happily lost within this world of color.

SHOP: First stop after settling in? Exploring the souk, of course! With hundreds of stalls selling everything from wicker baskets to carpets to house slippers, it’s complete sensory overload. The key is to focus on what captures your interest, and to bargain. After some intense negotiating, I bought a few handmade slippers and tunics for my mom, and had my eye on a Moroccan lamp. Next time!



VISIT: After great anticipation, The Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech opened in October 2017, showcasing dozens of pieces from the designers iconic fashion collections. Discovering the city in 1966, Yves Saint Laurent fell in love with “the colors and light found there, and its art of living” and made it his second home. To compliment the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Paris which I recently visited, this sister museum reveals more of the life and work of this revered designer, one of my personal favorites.

Just 100 meters away sits the enchanting Jardin Majorelle, a labor of love created over forty years by French painter Jacques Majorelle. A setting where Yves Saint Laurent often found inspiration, “seduced by this oasis where colours used by Matisse were mixed with those of nature,” he and his partner Pierre Bergé purchased the land in the 80’s and set about saving and restoring it. The villa at Jardin Majorelle houses the Berber Museum and a collection of Marjorelle’s paintings. Here too, both Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé are honored.

EAT: For the best in Moroccan cuisine, including sweet and savory tagine, head up to Terrasse des Epices where you can dine with the sun, just above the souk. Nomad is another hotspot nearby. For dinner make a reservation at seductive Le Foundouk, which boasts one of the most stunning rooftops in Marrakech.



I’m already counting the days until my next encounter with the enchanting medieval walled city of Marrakech.

Riad Farnatchi

Ever since my first visit to Morocco over two years ago, when my Italian surprised me with a trip to Essaouira, I’ve been longing to return, with Marrakech at the top of the list. This dream became a reality when I discovered luxurious Riad Farnatchi, the ideal home in the heart of the medina. With a friend and fellow writer in tow, we left the chill of late winter in Paris to discover the eternal sunshine of Marrakech.

We arrived to the intimate 10-bedroom Riad Farnatchi by way of the newly modernized airport, a quick 45 minute drive following a 3-hour flight from Paris.  The old world charm of the medina just outside the wooden portal, I immediately became enamored with this elegant riad, my first taste of Marrakech.

A breakfast of traditional Moroccan delights including sweet and savory flat bread Rgaïf-Msemen was enjoyed on my private terrace, to a backdrop of chirping birds and a flowing fountain. Complete tranquility found.

My suite itself was larger than most Parisian apartments, with skillfully crafted detail in every doorway and light fixture. I felt as though I had stepped back in time, with no recollection of the present day.


I knew there was an entire city waiting to be discovered, beginning with the souk just steps away, but I could have easily whiled away my days at Riad Farnatchi, both from within the courtyard and high up on the rooftop, taking in the views while calls to prayer sounded in the distance.

Dinner was savored at Riad Farnatchi’s new European-style restaurant Le Trou au Mur, where we dined on the house specialty, mixed mechuoi. This included some of the best cuts of lamb I’ve tasted, roasted in a traditional clay mechuoi oven. I’ll be back to dine on their stunning rooftop during the warmer months.

My days at Riad Farnatchi was spent discovering hidden corners of this charming hotel. I also had the pleasure of experiencing a traditional Moroccan hammam at the Farnatchi Spa. I’ve rarely felt so clean and relaxed!

Stay tuned to discover the many notable sights surrounding Riad Farnatchi in my personal guide to Marrakech.