On November 1st we are open from 10am to 5pm

Excursion Grand bassam tour at Abidjan

Cruise line: Silversea
Difficulty:

Grand Bassam

Depart the port and drive for one hour from Abidjan with a Police Escort to Grand Bassam, a lovely coastal resort town within easy reach of Abidjan. Enjoy an orientation drive of Grand Bassam, which was the first French colonial capital of Cote d'Ivoire, now a resort town. It was the French colonial capital city from 1893 to 1896, when the administration was transferred to Bingerville after a bout of yellow fever. The town remained a key seaport until the growth of Abidjan from the 1930's. In 1960, with independence, all remaining administrative offices were transferred to Abidjan, and for many years Grand-Bassam was inhabited only by squatters. Beginning in the late 1970's, the town began to revive as a tourist destination and craft centre. These days it's known for its busy, palm backed beach stretching along the Atlantic coastline. The old French-colonial town center, once the nation's capital is filled with decaying 19th and 20th century houses. See the former Royal Court and old Palace buildings and structures. In 2012 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


National Museum of Costume

Drive to and visit the National Museum of Costume to see examples of traditional dress, costumes, masks, ornaments and ethnographic photographs, in a former Governor's Palace. It is housed in an impressive colonial styled building which houses a wide array of ancient cultural artifacts and collections from all over the country. The Museum was built as a palace in 1892 by the colonial rulers at the time. In 1981, the first president of Cote d'Ivoire, Felix Houphouet Boigy converted it to a museum. The 4,000m museum holds various publications, and models of traditional houses. The explanation labels in the museum are mostly in French and a few in English. The museum is spread over three levels, and there is no air-conditioning in the building, but many windows provide great ventilation. Flights of stairs to be negotiated to reach each level.

Craft Market and Refreshment at La Boblin La Mer Hotel

Also visit the Craft Market for local souvenirs adjacent to the Museum. Round off the tour with a refreshment stop at La Boblin La Mer Hotel in Grand Bassam which is 1.5km from the National Museum of Costume before the return drive back to the Port of Abijdan.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Old French Colonial Town of Grand Bassam, Former Capital of Cote d'Ivoire, Musee National du Costume, Refreshment at La Boblin La Mer Hotel

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking of approximately 1 km or 0.6 miles and a few steps to negotiate. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight comfortable clothing, and flat, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended. Guests are advised to ask for permission to take photos of locals. It is not permitted to take photographs of any Military or Government buildings.