Tour of Grand Bassam

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Musee National des Costumes

  The National Museum of Costume is an impressive colonial-styled building that houses a wide array of ancient cultural artifacts and collections from all over the country. remarkable for its collection of vintage photos, the most curious of which must be that of a pith-helmeted French colonial squeezing the breast of a naked N’Zima woman. The scale model villages downstairs examine the habits and customs of Ivory Coast’s indigenous people. The basketry, textiles, masks, ceremonial outfits and indigo goods are also worth a peek. The range of mannequins illustrates the various religious and ethnic traditions of the country: a loin-clothed Baoulé monarch is draped in gold jewellery, an Abouré féticheuse tasked with educating children about sex clutches a wooden penis and broom to deter malevolent spirits, and a Kru chieftain poses in a suit of tree bark and leather.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 2

  By far the most interesting thing to see in Bassam is the 1.1- km2 open-air museum of colonial buildings constructed between the 1870s and the 1930s. Most are dotted around the easily walkable Boulevard Treich-Laplène

  20 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3
  La 1ere boutique CFAO installe a BASSAM

  An old trading post of the French West Africa Company, built in the early 20th century. This historic building reflects Grand-Bassam’s role as a colonial commercial center and is an important part of the city’s heritage.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4
  Grand Bassam

  The Governor’s Palace, opposite the Courthouse on Boulevard Treich-Laplène is in good shape – its stucco walls were recently re-lacquered and its lengthy veranda was redecorated with sea shells. The dual staircases weave elegantly towards each other along the façade and meet and curl inwards to form a semi-circle at the main entrance.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  Continuing east along Boulevard Treich-Laplène, on the corner of Rue Sacre-Coeur, is the Post Office and Customs House, built in 1893 out of prefab materials shipped from France. Composed of a central tower and a green-shuttered first floor, it has been smartly renovated under the terms of the UNESCO project and is now home to the Maison du Patrimoine Culturel, a cultural center that arranges history-themed events and has a permanent exhibition of photographs depicting 150 years of important Bassamois people, places, and events.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 6

  Recently inaugurated in May 2025, La Maison des Arts is a contemporary art museum housed in a beautifully restored colonial-era building that once served as the Hôtel des Postes et Douanes. The museum features rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, photography, and design by African artists, aiming to become a hub for artistic exchange and inspiration. Please note that the museum is sometimes closed for private events, so visits depend on whether it is open.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7
  Palais Royal Des N'zima De Grand Bassam

  Palais Royal des N’zima – When open, enjoy a 20-minute visit to the royal palace of the N’zima people, the traditional rulers of Grand-Bassam. The palace showcases unique N’zima architecture, decorated with symbolic motifs, and offers a glimpse into the matrilineal traditions and royal customs of the community. This stop provides a fascinating insight into the history, culture, and leadership of the N’zima people, making it a memorable cultural highlight of your tour.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 8
  Grand Bassam

  Centre de la Céramique de Grand-Bassam Established in 1982, this center focuses on ceramic arts, providing workshops and showcasing local pottery techniques. It's a place to learn and appreciate the art of ceramics.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  Choose between a canoe rie or a batik workshop: - Canoe ride on the lagoon – Glide across the calm waters past mangroves and palm trees. Take a 30-minute journey to a village where the N’zima people smoke fish, then return to the starting point (an especially magical experience at sunset). - Batik workshop – Learn the traditional art of batik fabric dyeing and create your own colorful cloth (pagne) to take home as a special keepsake.

  1 hour 15 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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