Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE EASTERN BEACHES
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Grand Bassam
Arty and bathed in faded glory, beachside Bassam was Côte d'Ivoire's former French capit-
al, until a yellow-fever epidemic broke out there, prompting the French to move their capit-
al to Bingerville.
The city is laid out on a long spit of land with a quiet lagoon on one side and the turbu-
lent Atlantic Ocean on the other. If you take a dip, watch the strong currents.
Sights
A walk through town will take you past the
colonial buildings
the city is known for; some have
been restored, while others are slowly falling apart. The
Palais de Justice
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(Blvd Treich-Laplene)
should be your first stop. Built in 1910, it was in this
building that members of Côte d'Ivoire's PDCI-RDA political group - that of Houphouët-
Boigny - were arrested by the French authorities in 1949, in the struggle that preceded in-
dependence. The
Musée National du Costume
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(Blvd Treich-Laplene; ad-
mission by donation)
, in the former governor's palace, has a nice little exhibit showing housing
styles of various ethnic groups.
If you're in the market for an Ivorian painting, head to
Nick Amon's art gallery
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(Blvd Treich-Laplene)
. One of Côte d'Ivoire's most respected
contemporary artists, he'll greet you with paint-splattered clothing and a warm smile. His
canvases start at around CFA50,000; profits go to an organisation that gives street kids art
classes.
You can arrange riding trips (one/two hours for CFA13,000/20,000) along the coast at sun-
rise. Dugout-canoe trips to see traditional crab fishers, mangroves and birdlife can be ar-
ranged with local boatmen.