Abidjan Sights

Sights in Abidjan

  1. A

    Musée National

    About 1km north of Le Plateau market is the Musée National . It has a very dusty collection of over 20,000 objects, including wooden statues and masks, pottery, ivory and bronze.

    Just more than 1km (0,6mi) north of Le Plateau market is the Musée National. It has a collection of over 20,000 objects, including wooden statues and masks, pottery, ivory and bronze. Many of the buses heading for Adjamé pass nearby.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Cathédrale St-Paul

    Designed by the Italian Aldo Spiritom, is the bold and innovative Cathédrale St-Paul . The tower is a huge stylised figure of St Paul, with the nave sweeping behind him like trailing robes. Inside, the stained-glass tableaux are as warm and rich as those of the basilica in Yamoussoukro.

    Make a point of seeing these three in particular: the one behind the altar depicting God blinding St Paul on the road to Damascus; the storm on Lake Galilee with Jesus pointing the way ahead as the disciples jettison the cargo; and, opposite, the tableau of the first missionaries stepping ashore to a scene of African plenty - elephants, gazelles, luxuriant palms and smiling villagers.The …

    reviewed

  3. C

    Hôtel Ivoire

    Visiting the colossal Hôtel Ivoire, once West Africa's premier hotel and a small city in itself, was always an odd experience, but the lack of guests these days makes it almost surreal. The complex has 11 tennis courts, swimming pools, a cinema, casino, restaurants, grocery store, nightclub, sauna and bowling alley.

    reviewed

  4. Musée Municipal d'Art Contemporain

    The small Musée Municipal d'Art Contemporain beyond the Hôtel Golf has a thought-provoking, permanent collection of works by contemporary Ivorian and other African artists and regularly mounts exciting, temporary exhibitions.

    reviewed

  5. Parc du Banco

    On the northwest edge of town is the Parc du Banco rainforest reserve. It has very pleasant walking trails, majestic trees and a lake, but little in the way of wildlife. Near the park entrance is Africa's largest outdoor laundrette.

    reviewed

  6. D

    La Pyramide

    Step back and look up at some of the buildings of Le Plateau; they're as breathtaking up close as from a distance. La Pyramide , designed by the Italian architect Olivieri, was the first daring structure.

    reviewed

  7. E

    Ministry of Post & Telecommunications

    The shimmering Ministry of Post & Telecommunications, all rounded angles and curves soaring skyward, contrasts with its cuboid, right-angled neighbours.

    reviewed

  8. F

    Marché de Treichville

    The Marché de Treichville is an ugly Chinese-built building, but inside it's African to the core and well stocked. There is little you can't find.

    reviewed

  9. G

    Cité Administrative

    Looming over the cathedral are the towers of the Cité Administrative, featuring giant copper-coloured slabs with fretted windows.

    reviewed

  10. H

    Marché de Cocody

    The top floor of the Marché de Cocody is geared for tourists with all the usual trinkets.

    reviewed

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  12. I

    Marché Plateau

    Marché Plateau has been razed, but will be rebuilt.

    reviewed