Le Jardin Secret dates back to the 16th century, when the Saadian Sultan Moulay ‘Abd-Allah began developing what is now Marrakech’s Mouassine district. Over the centuries, the palace changed hands, witnessed intrigue, and fell into disrepair before being restored. Opened to the public in 2016, it now offers visitors a glimpse into its rich and fascinating past.
Le Jardin Secret consists of two historic riads with lush gardens, elegant pavilions, and exquisite Moroccan craftsmanship — from zellij tiles and carved stucco to inlaid cedar wood. Its iconic tower, rising like a minaret, offers unmatched views over Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains, making it a rare architectural treasure to explore.
Today, Le Jardin Secret features two distinct green spaces: an exotic garden with plants from around the world, and an Islamic garden restored to its 19th-century layout. The Islamic garden, with its four-part design evoking Quranic descriptions of paradise, offers shaded paths, tranquil symmetry, and a sense of sacred order — a peaceful oasis echoing Marrakech’s historic tradition as a true “garden city.”
At the heart of Le Jardin Secret flows a spring, echoing the essence of Islamic gardens. This precious water once arrived through an ingenious underground khettara system — a rare privilege that supplied the riad’s fountains, reservoirs and canals, traces of which can still be admired today.