Yamoussoukro

The official capital of Côte d'Ivoire. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, one of the largest churches in the world, and the Lake of Sacred Crocodiles at the Presidential Palace make it a city worth a special trip.

Yamoussoukro is in central Côte d'Ivoire, about 230 km from the economic hub of Abidjan. It is the hometown of the country's first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny. In 1983 he moved the official capital here, building wide tree-lined avenues, an artificial lake and a series of monumental public buildings on the savanna. Today the city has a population of about 400,000, but most government offices remain in Abidjan. The streets are therefore empty, giving the city a distinctive air of an unfinished capital.

The areas to explore are: (1) south of the city, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, one of the largest churches in the world and the main reason to visit; (2) the central north, with the Presidential Palace and the Lake of Sacred Crocodiles around the artificial lake, the Cathedral of Saint Augustine and the Grand Mosque; (3) the east, with the Hôtel Président, a golf course, the Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research and the campus of the National Polytechnic Institute, which makes for a modernist architecture tour; (4) the outskirts, with the Abokouamekro Wildlife Reserve and Lake Kossou.

The climate is tropical savanna. November to February is the dry season and the best time to visit, though the harmattan wind brings dust and sand. April–July and September–October are the rainy seasons, with heavy downpours in the afternoon. Getting there: it is about 3 hours on the northbound expressway from Abidjan. Take a long-distance bus such as UTB, or hire a car. Attractions in the city are spread out, so an orange taxi (cheap fares) is the easiest way to get around. A stay of one day is suggested. You can return to Abidjan the same day, or spend a night and watch the crocodiles being fed in the evening. Dress modestly when visiting the cathedral. Photography is prohibited at the Presidential Palace and at military and police facilities.

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