Tour of Grand Bassam

Overview

Step beyond the landmarks and discover the history, creativity and everyday life of Grand-Bassam on a private guided tour. Stroll through UNESCO-listed Quartier France, where colonial-era architecture tells the story of the town’s past. Your guide will bring the streets and landmarks to life as you visit the National Costume Museum in the former Governor’s Palace, the former Courthouse, the former CFAO trading post, Maison du Patrimoine, the N’zima Royal Palace, the Centre de Céramique and a contemporary art gallery. Then experience local life in the N’zima fishing community. See N’zima women smoking fish and, depending on the day’s activity, fishermen pulling their boats ashore with ropes. Make the experience your own with one optional activity: glide across the lagoon on a short canoe ride of up to 30 minutes, with views of Grand-Bassam from the water, or join a batik workshop. Batik is a textile art that uses wax and dye to create patterns on fabric.

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 min· Admission 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 min· Admission included

3. La 1ère boutique CFAO installé à 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 min· Admission 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 min

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 min· Admission 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 min

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 min· Admission 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 min

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 h 15 min· Admission included

Pickup

Pickup or meet at the departure point.

Travelers can be picked up from any location in Grand-Bassam or Abidjan. Please note that the price may vary depending on the distance, type of transfer, or whether the journey requires a car or a short walk.

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• You will receive confirmation immediately when you book.

Travelers

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

This activity can be canceled in case of bad weather.

Reviews

Product code: 273219P6

Activity offered by The Real Experience AS via Viator.