Abidjan is sometimes referred to as the "Paris of West-Africa". During the long and stable rule of the Ivory Coast's Godfather Felix Huphouet-Boigny the city of Abidjan has flourished. However, the political instability and the civil war of the past decade have taken their toll on the city. Neglect, low maintenance of buildings and public space and the mass exodus of foreigners have given the city an atmosphere of "lost glory". Nowhere is this to be seen better then in the famous Hotel Ivoire. Entering it is like taking a trip to the sixties; since its construction there have been no significant changes or modernisation to its interior and furniture. Too bad though that its massive swimming pool has weeds growing on the bottom instead of blue waters.Very nice is the public zoo. It really is a beautiful place with loads of interesting animals for just CFA 200, well worth this small sum.Also don't forget a trip to Bassam, Abidjan's no. 1 beach.
Other places of Interest
National Library of Côte d'Ivoire (Bibliothèque Nationale de Côte d'Ivoire)
National Museum
St Paul's Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Paul d'Abidjan)
The Cocody Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art
The Parc du Banco rainforest reserve
