Historic Town of Grand-Bassam
Grand-Bassam, Quartier France
The first capital of French Côte d'Ivoire, with a UNESCO-listed colonial old town and Atlantic beaches. It is Abidjan's classic day trip.
Grand-Bassam lies about 40 km east of Abidjan. It served as the capital of French Côte d'Ivoire from 1893 to 1896 and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2012. The old French Quarter is squeezed between the lagoon and the Atlantic and preserves many colonial buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries: trading houses with arcades, the old courthouse, post office, hospital, and church. Many are faded and crumbling, which gives the town a distinct sense of age, and a local guide can explain them. Along the coast are a long beach and seafood restaurants, but the Atlantic surf is strong and the rip currents are dangerous, so swimming is not advised. The former governor's residence now houses the National Costume Museum. It takes about an hour by car or taxi.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- National Costume Museum, Grand-Bassam
- Bingerville Botanical Garden
- Centre Artisanal de la Ville d'Abidjan (CAVA)
- Hôtel Ivoire
- Treichville Market
- Grand Mosque of Plateau
- Ébrié Lagoon Boat Ride
- Fondation Donwahi