Right opposite the Pont Faidherbe, the Governance (usually referred to as 'la Gouvernance') is built on the ruins of the 18th-century colonial fort. This was the seat of power for Afrique Occidentale Française (French West Africa) until the capital was transferred to Dakar in 1902. A tour around the backrooms of the Syndicat d'Initiative still grants a glimpse of the ancient walls.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.19 MILES
Transferred to Saint-Louis in 1897, the Pont Faidherbe is the city's most significant landmark. The metal arches of this bridge linking Saint-Louis to the…
Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie
1.47 MILES
This park includes the far southern tip of the Langue de Barbarie peninsula, the estuary of the Senegal River (which contains two small islands) and a…
0.02 MILES
This small museum gives a glimpse into the life and times of Jean Mermoz, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and other pilots who flew during the golden era of…
Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj
28.75 MILES
From November to April, some three million birds migrating south from Europe stop here, because it's one of the first places with permanent water south of…
0.49 MILES
This heritage, art and culture museum contains photos of famous Saint-Louis personalities, an informative history section (in French) and exhibitions on…
0.05 MILES
With its statue of the French governor who led the colonial expansion eastwards and initiated many ambitious infrastructural projects, this square sits…
0.49 MILES
On the Langue de Barbarie, Guet N'Dar is a fantastically busy fishing town worth checking out to observe local culture. Come here to watch dozens of…
0.41 MILES
The Maghreb-style building of the Grand Mosque in the north was constructed in 1847 by order of the colonial administration to appease the growing Muslim…
Nearby Senegal attractions
0.02 MILES
This small museum gives a glimpse into the life and times of Jean Mermoz, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and other pilots who flew during the golden era of…
0.04 MILES
Overlooking the leafy Place Faidherbe is this classic 19th-century building, once the residence for the French colonial governor.
0.05 MILES
With its statue of the French governor who led the colonial expansion eastwards and initiated many ambitious infrastructural projects, this square sits…
0.07 MILES
In the south, next to the governor's palace, you'll find the Cathedral, an 1828 building with a neoclassical facade that is one of the oldest operating…
0.08 MILES
On opposite sides of Place Faidherbe, these two 19th-century buildings were used as soldiers' barracks during the colonial days. The building on the south…
0.19 MILES
Transferred to Saint-Louis in 1897, the Pont Faidherbe is the city's most significant landmark. The metal arches of this bridge linking Saint-Louis to the…
0.41 MILES
The Maghreb-style building of the Grand Mosque in the north was constructed in 1847 by order of the colonial administration to appease the growing Muslim…
0.49 MILES
This heritage, art and culture museum contains photos of famous Saint-Louis personalities, an informative history section (in French) and exhibitions on…