Hidden within the Mouassine quarter, Le Jardin Secret occupies the footprint of paired historic riads with Saadian‑era origins. A 21st‑century restoration recovered an Islamic garden and an exotic garden, water displays, and pavilions. Today it demonstrates traditional hydraulics, urban ecology, and careful visitor choreography within the medina.
The site’s origins trace to the Saadian period (16th century). Later reconstructions created two large riads whose gardens and salons reflected elite domestic life near Ben Youssef. Subsequent decline left fragments until recent surveys and archival work underpinned a faithful revival.
Architects and gardeners reinstated a chahar‑bagh‑inspired Islamic garden and a contrasting exotic garden, supplied by restored khettara/seguias and modern filtration. Timber, tadelakt, and lime mortars respect local craft; discrete ramps and guardrails improve access without visual clutter.
Fountains aerate basins; planting palettes shift with season to stabilize microclimate and biodiversity for pollinators. Visitor flows follow shaded axes, with overlooks explaining geometry and hydraulics.
Mid‑morning light flattens contrasts for photography; late afternoon is quieter. Pair with Ben Youssef and nearby souks for a layered reading of the medina.
