An Yves Saint Laurent museum has opened in Marrakech - and it's exquisite

What to see

Situated next to the lush Jardin Majorelle and close to his former home, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent is hidden behind terracotta walls studded with decorative brickwork.

Inside is a smooth arts centre, complete with auditorium and a permanent exhibition of some of Saint Laurent’s most iconic looks, including Le Smoking and the bougainvillea cape. Clever projections tell the story of the Algerian-born couturier and his creations, which took inspiration from the local textile and jewellery traditions.

The design by architects Studio KO (also responsible for Chiltern Firehouse) features richly coloured tiles and stained glass windows in the Saint Laurent palette. Funded by Saint Laurent’s life and business partner, Pierre Bergé, who died only weeks before they opened, it’s a fitting tribute to one of fashion’s greats.

Where to eat & drink

Head to the Ville Nouvelle (the colonial quarter) for a drink and a sunset view from the Sky Bar at La Renaissance Hotel. Back in the medina, Dar Zellij serves great Moroccan dishes from a 17th-century riad at 1 Kaa Essour.

Where to shop

High-end jewellery and contemporary Morroccan clothes are sold at Boutique Majorelle, while just across the road are a clutch of designer stores that include 33 Rue Majorelle, a two-level treasure house of modern Moroccan designs. Looking for classic leather goods and ceramics? Pay a visit to Original Design, a small-but-perfectly-formed lifestyle shop just a short walk from the medina. Aya’s — whose celebrity fans include Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks — is the place to go for chic kaftans, tunics and accessories, while Heritage Berbère does a fine line in artisanal scents (right), which come in flight-friendly 100ml bottles.

Where to stay

Commissioned by King Mohammed VI, the Royal Mansour hotel is a series of private riads and a main building that shimmers with ornate tiles, fretted plaster and metal. The exquisite craftsmanship is a showcase of Morocco’s traditional talents, which are best enjoyed at Le Jardin, the languorous pool area and restaurant serving delicious light bites and cocktails.

High in the Atlas Mountains but just 45 minutes from Marrakech, Kasbah Tamadot is a former governor’s mansion that is now part of Sir Richard Branson’s collection of resorts. Sleep in the main building among the turrets or in a series of luxe Bedouin pavilions that overlook a river valley.

Where to visit

Go to the medina to see the grand Koutoubia Mosque and the madhouse of the JemAa el Fna main square. Medersa Ben Youssef, a former 16th-century religious school, boasts some of the best Islamic art in the city.

PS...

In Paris, 5 Avenue Marceau, YSL HQ for more than three decades, is now also a museum. Highlights include a recreation of the designer’s studio, replete with original sketches, bolts of fabric and objets d’art.