Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Musée IFAN; 33 823 9268; Pl de Soweto; adult/child CFA2300/200; 9am-6pm Tue-Sun)
The Musée
Théodore Monod is one of the best museums in West Africa. The museum is a testament
to African art and culture with over 9000 objects on display. Lively exhibits show masks
and traditional dress across the region (including Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Benin and Nigeria)
and provide an excellent overview of styles, without bombarding you with more than you
can take in.
You can also see beautiful fabrics and carvings, drums, musical instruments and agri-
cultural tools. A gallery behind the main building often houses excellent exhibitions of
contemporary art.
Medina
NEIGHBOURHOOD
A bustling popular quartier with tiny tailor's shops, a busy Marché Tilène and streets
brimming with life, the Medina was built as a township for the local populace by the
French during colonial days and is the birthplace of Senegalese superstar and current min-
ister of culture Youssou N'Dour. Besides being a very real neighbourhood, where creative
ideas and new trends grow between crammed, makeshift homes, it's also home to Dakar's
mark minaret.
Village des Arts
ARTS CENTRE
( 33 835 7160;
www.levillagedesarts.com
; Rte de Yoff)
An arts tour around Dakar is simply not
complete with a visit to this famous art complex, where some of Senegal's most promising
and established photographers, painters and sculptors create, shape and display their
works in a large garden space. The on-site gallery shows a selection of their work and it's
easy to grab a drink and chat to the friendly artists at the nearby restaurants.
Layen Mausoleum
MONUMENT
( Mbenguene & the beach; 10am-6pm Sun-Thu)
In Yoff village, take a look at the Layen Mauso-
leum, a shrine to the founder of the Layen Muslim brotherhood. Residents of Yoff are
noted for their strong Islamic culture: smoking and drinking are not allowed and visitors
should be appropriately dressed (meaning long skirts or trousers). It's right on the beach
and its floors are made of sand.
