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Peace and tranquility from artistic bygone era
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IN the hectic life of Marrakech, a riad is a heaven of peace and tranquility, recalling the splendor and artistry of a bygone era.
The word “riad” originates from an Arabian term for garden. To put it simply, a riad is a residence in the Medina of Marrakech characterized by a central courtyard and fountain. Riads were once the lavish homes of wealthy merchants, today they have been converted into hotels, guesthouses and private homes.
French couple Alice and Gabriel Paris came to visit Marrakech in 2015 and have remained in Morocco’s romantic ancient past — with the convenience of modern amenities — ever since.
Originally from Toulon, South of France, the couple were travel lovers and adventure seekers. Their original project was to open a guesthouse in Asia but they got sidetracked into owning a traditional riad and guesthouse in Marrakech called Riad Yasmine.
Riad Yasmine’s former owner was Gabriel’s father. He decided to sell it in 2015 so the couple bought it and continue to run it as a guesthouse.
“Before I was working in the communication and travel industry, Gabriel is a chameleon. He was a photographer, pizzaiolo and commercial in the coffee industry. We have very different backgrounds and this is what makes us complementary,” Alice said.
After running Riad Yasmine as a guesthouse for three years, they decided to purchase another riad in early 2018.
“One day someone just knocked at our door and asked us to follow him,” Alice said. “He wanted us to visit a riad and told us it was for sale. “We couldn’t resist buying it. It was love at first sight. We knew that we would make something magical in it.”
When they first saw it, the riad was pink with a lot of tiles everywhere.
“It didn’t fit our taste. It was quite old and needed refreshing. We had eight months of renovation and put our heart and energy into creating what the riad is now, with Gaby, Thierry and the amazing work of three Berber workers,” she said.
The traditional riad’s inward facing design was prized for its ability to keep the home cool by shading the hot Moroccan sun, while offering the family peace and privacy away from the bustling Medina streets. From the outside, a riad is unassuming and modest with few, if any, windows peering in. But when you push it open, you find yourself in a home of unique splendor.
At the center of the square courtyard is invariably a fountain or water basin, which represents the vital force of the house and is a powerful symbol of life in Morocco’s desert lands.
“Based on the traditional layout, we have created a modern-style riad to live in. We loved the white and green color scheme so the interiors are predominately green with a green pool in the middle courtyard. The color green is also found in the tiles, and mostly the plants placed everywhere around,” Alice said.
The 100-squre-meter riad features a pool in the central courtyard, three bedrooms and an enchanting rooftop terrace.
“We tried to keep it simple and not overly decorated. We are a young couple so we need to inject a modern touch to a traditional look. We tried to avoid the furniture coming from the souks (marketplace) but have many things handcrafted and customized outside the city. We wanted to feel homey and personal here,” she said.
“Our inspiration comes from Morocco, the culture, and the traditional art and craft from here.
“We are always inspired by the life in Medina which itself represents a perfect mix of modernity and traditions.”
She said it is important to work with local artisans.
For example, the customized lamps are hand-crafted pieces dear to her heart.
“I took the Moroccan lamp design and asked an artisan to make them in gold fabric,” Alice said.
“Light is beautiful inside the rooms and my favorite is the star shaped light in a room upstairs.
“And our crush is the handmade pizza oven on the rooftop (Gabriel used to be a Pizzaiolo) so we love to hang out with friends and make our own pizza.”
Q: What’s the best thing about living in Marrakech?
A: Everything is possible.
Q: Describe your home in three words.
A: Traditional, modern and unique.
Q: What’s the first thing you do when you get home?
A: Undress and take a bath.
Q: How do you unwind?
A: We try to go to the coast (Imsouane) Gabriel is surfing and I am reading, doing yoga and walking at the beach.
Q: Where do you spend most of the time at home?
A: In the yellow couch area on the first floor.
Q: What’s the view outside your window?
A: The street.
Q: What’s your favorite object at home?
A: A gift that has been offered, a lovely African ‘head’ turquoise and gold.
Q: Where do you source furniture?
A: As we love unique pieces, we try to source to the artisans and make things made so we are sure not to find the same in the souks.
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