Tour of Grand Bassam

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.