Benchaâbane
Founded 2004
Marrakech house of perfumer and botanist Abderrazzak Benchaâbane, who made an eau de toilette for the Jardin Majorelle at Yves Saint Laurent's request in 2002 and launched his own line with Soir de Marrakech in 2004. He also founded the city's perfume museum in the medina.
Hours and prices change, so check with the shop before you go.
A Marrakech botanist's perfumes, across from Majorelle
Benchaâbane is the perfume house of Abderrazzak Benchaâbane, an ethnobotanist and perfumer born in Marrakech. He studied botany, and he credits Yves Saint Laurent with his first perfumery lesson. In 2002 Saint Laurent asked him to create an eau de toilette for the Jardin Majorelle, and in 2004 he launched his own line with Soir de Marrakech.
He sees making a perfume as telling a story that brings back memories, and several of his scents carry Moroccan place names, such as Mogador and Fès. He also founded Le Musée du Parfum at 2 Derb Chérif in the medina, where a perfume bar lets visitors blend single-note scents into their own eau de toilette in about 30 minutes.
To buy his perfumes in Marrakech, go to one of the two showrooms listed on his own site: on Rue Yves Saint Laurent, opposite the Jardin Majorelle, or on Rue Tarik Ibn Ziad in Guéliz, in the résidence Yacout. The site lists no opening hours or prices, so call ahead. Try Soir de Marrakech first: it is the scent that started his line, made as a tribute to the city at sunset.
- Soir de MarrakechEvening light over the city, mixing its gardens and souks: lime, jasmine, orange blossom, amber and sandalwood.
- MogadorWoody and resinous, with cypress, cedar and thuya warmed by ginger and nutmeg.
- Fès, jardin d'épicesA spice garden, with lime over star anise and cardamom.
- Les jardins de ShérazadeRose and jasmine with orange blossom, saffron, oud and vanilla.
- Fleur d'orangerA soliflore, built around a single flower: orange blossom.
Where to buy
- Showroom, Rue Yves Saint Laurent, opposite the Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech
- Showroom, Rue Tarik Ibn Ziad, résidence Yacout, Guéliz, Marrakech
- Musée du Parfum, 2 Derb Chérif, Diour Saboun, Marrakech medina
In our city guides
- Benchaâbane Showroom Majorelle (Boutique, Marrakech)
- Musée du Parfum (Museum, Marrakech)
- Musée du Parfum: Make Your Own Perfume (Workshop, Marrakech)