The former summer residence of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in Tangier has been restored into a 12-room villa by British designer Jasper Conran. Set within lush gardens of palms, bougainvillea, and citrus—originally designed by landscape architect Madison Cox—Villa Mabrouka features interiors by Jacques Grange and views across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain.
The property is open year-round, but spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather. As inland Morocco heats up, Tangier’s position between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean brings a steady cooling breeze.
Where
Tangier sits at the crossroads of Europe and Africa. Arrival by air is dramatic as you descend over whitecaps in the Strait of Gibraltar and land at the Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, which serves as a connection point to major cities like London, Paris, and Madrid. Tangier is also easily reached via Al Boraq, the high-speed train that links the city to Rabat and Casablanca.
Who
Villa Mabrouka is owned by British designer Jasper Conran, who acquired the property from Fondation Jardin Majorelle—a nonprofit founded by Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Bergé, and landscape architect Madison Cox. It marks Conran’s second Moroccan venture, following the success of L’Hôtel Marrakech.
The Scene
From British consuls to a Kuwaiti princess, the property had passed through several hands before becoming Saint Laurent and Bergé’s coastal retreat in 1997. In 2019, Conran began a four-year restoration, layering his vision onto interior designer Jacques Grange’s original concept. With an eye toward preserving the structure’s heritage, he retained its 1940s clean-line minimalism.
During the renovation, more than 6,500 trees and plants were incorporated into the landscape, and water tanks were added to collect rainfall for irrigating the grounds.
The Crowd
Popular with the creative crowd, Villa Mabrouka tends to attract artists and professionals in architecture, fashion and design, entertainment, and more. While children over 13 are permitted, the property is best suited for adults.
Rooms
Split between the main house and garden cottages, the property has 12 rooms and suites, each differing in size, layout, and decor. It’s worth confirming if your room has a shower, bath, or both, and if privacy matters, check if your terrace is shared. The sunny Marrakech Suite—Saint Laurent’s former bedroom—stands out for its private terrace and sweeping views.
