The best places to visit

From the lagoons bathed by the Atlantic waves to the mist-covered mountains, from the colorful festivals where thousands of people of all ages gather to the quiet and peaceful life of isolated villages, Côte d'Ivoire is full of wonderful experiences for the traveler.

You have your plane ticket and your visa for Côte d'Ivoire ? It's time to plan your itinerary, which these 11 must-see places can't miss.

Grand-Bassam

This region was the heart of the French influence on the Ivorian coast, and one can find Parisian-looking mansions hidden among the palm trees.

If the region has lost its grandeur, it remains an unmissable destination, if only for its restored monuments, such as the Sacré-Coeur cathedral.

If Grand-Bassam is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it is not for nothing..

Abidjan

Officially, this is not the capital. But, with its 4 million inhabitants, it is undoubtedly the heart of the Ivory Coast ! Multicultural and colorful, it lies near the southern coast, at the Ebrié lagoon.

A trip to Côte d'Ivoire without spending a few days in Abidjan is a bit like a meal without cheese or a day without sunshine..

Situated in the middle of the country's wooded reliefs, at the foot of the Toura and Tonkoui peaks (the highest in the country), the city of Man is a total change of scenery for the foreign visitor.

Rustic, it lives to the rhythm of the cocoa plantations and the sound of the waterfalls that surround it. You can also take advantage of it to get lost in the bamboo forests, to marvel at the countless multicolored butterflies.

Taï National Park

Rainforest lovers, look no further: it is in this 3000 km2 national park that you must go.

Jungle, peaks appearing from nowhere, constant humidity…. and of course, an incredible wildlife: chimpanzees, hippos … You will find everything you dreamed.

Yamoussoukro

The official capital of Côte d'Ivoire is a surprising city, and for that reason alone, it is worth a visit.

Its population of 300,000 is clearly not enough to fill this agglomeration with its huge boulevards and impressive skyscrapers. As you stroll through the world's largest Catholic church, you'll feel like you're in an end-of-the-world movie, but with the survivors smiling broadly.

Bouaké

The multicultural crossroads of the country, where all influences meet and cohabit.

This sometimes leads to conflicts (to be avoided, of course), but above all it makes it a center where tribal art, crafts and gastronomy flourish.

Comoé National Park

On the border with Ghana, this national park is a real magnet for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of eco responsible tourism.

Between savannah and jungle, the meandering Comoé River is an opportunity to observe the fauna and flora, to go climbing, hiking, or kayaking, to discover the local way of life, or to participate in an environmental preservation project.

Mount Simba Natural Reserve

UNESCO considers this region to be one of the largest nature reserves in all of West Africa, with a multitude of different ecosystems preserved. From the rainforest to the high plains, the reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, with many rare species.

Access is long and difficult, but those who make the effort do not regret it.

Asouinde

It is probably the most famous seaside resort of the whole Ivory Coast.

Between Grand-Bassam and Abidjan, the city is popular among city dwellers who want to enjoy a bit of nature. As a result, it has many hotel infrastructures of good standing.

Between the lagoons and the Atlantic coast, there are many possibilities to enjoy the beach.

Marahoué National Park

This little known park has become infamous because of the deforestation it has experienced (over 90% of the forests have disappeared !)

Chimpanzees and other elephants have become rare, and it is not the best choice to admire the Ivorian wildlife. But it is the best place to admire the efforts of those who try to protect nature by setting up concrete projects to preserve and safeguard the environment.

You can even participate: any help is always welcome.

Jacqueville

To enjoy the pleasures of the beach far from the excitement of a seaside resort, the small town of Jacqueville is the best choice.

Long sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, colonial architecture and fishing boats… Life follows its own rhythm, and it is rather quiet.

Beach, history, national park, local culture… Now all you have to do is to organize your itinerary and take your plane ticket to Côte d'Ivoire !