Port Bouet, Bouet, Pickaninny Bassam
Port-Bouët, one of
Abidjan's ten urban communes, lies south of the Ébrié Lagoon. Originally
uninhabited until the 1930s, it's now home to the iconic Port
Bouët/Petit Bassam lighthouse and the bustling Félix-Houphouët-Boigny
International Airport.
Beyond the
airport, Port-Bouët offers a unique blend of urban life and coastal charm. The
immense Hôtel Ivoire, boasting a bowling alley, cinema, casino, and the only ice
rink in Western Africa, stands as a testament to the area's vibrant atmosphere.
For a spiritual experience, visit St. Paul's Cathedral, an elaborate
Italian-designed church renowned as one of Africa's most impressive religious
structures. Nature lovers can escape to the Banco National Park, a tropical
rainforest just north of the city.
While not a primary shopping destination, Port-Bouët benefits from its proximity
to Abidjan's Exhibition Centre, the largest in West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, hosting various
events and exhibitions.