THE MUSEUMS OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE

10 CULTURAL SPACES TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LOCAL CULTURE

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Côte d'Ivoire is not just about beaches, restaurants, and nightlife; its museums are also worth visiting for an insight into local culture. In addition to art galleries, private and public museums throughout the country offer an overview of Ivorian know-how: masks, wood carving, pottery, weaving, and bronze casting, showcasing a wide range of Ivorian creations. With a strong focus on the history and cultural diversity of the Senoufo, Agni, or Baoulé ethnic groups, as well as contemporary art, Côte d'Ivoire's various museums showcase its tangible and intangible heritage and will leave you wanting to see more of this beautiful country.

Soak up the local culture with an enlightening visit to the museums of Côte d'Ivoire. Check out our guide to see which should be on your must-visit list.

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MUSEE NATIONAL DES COSTUMES (EX PALAIS DU GOUVERNEUR) - GRAND-BASSAM

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The Musée National des Costumes is the museum of Grand-Bassam and the place to learn more about the different ethnic groups of Côte d'Ivoire and its colonial history. Located in Quartier, France, the museum is housed in a two-story colonial-style building of 3000 m2. The museum's mission is to preserve the national collection of traditional costumes and to develop any research of interest in Ivorian costume. Through its permanent collection, it presents the costume heritage of Côte d'Ivoire through textiles  (Bogolan, Baoule, Indigo...), costumes, parures, and masks worn on special occasions, celebrations, or ceremonies that illustrate the country's traditions. The re-enactment of a weaver's work also illustrates the local know-how handed down from generation to generation.

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The museum is not limited to textiles. It presents a passionate overview of the architectural styles of Côte d'Ivoire, explaining the different types of houses found in the villages of the Lobé, Baoule, Aboure, Malinke, and Kroumen through models, including one of the famous Kong mosques. They explain the building materials and the organization within the community. Part of the museum also displays objects, photographs, and archives from when Grand-Bassam was the colonial capital of Côte d'Ivoire. To the right of its large courtyard is the Forum des Artisans, a market that sells local handmade souvenirs, masks, jewelry, paintings, and instruments. The Museum of Costume is the best place to learn more about the colonization of Côte d'Ivoire and the way of life of its main tribes.

Musée National des Costumes - Tue-Sun (9am - 5pm)

Boulevard Treich-Laplène

Quartier France, Grand-Bassam

Côte d'Ivoire

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MUSEE DES CIVILISATIONS - ABIDJAN                

With more than 15,000 pieces, the Musée des Civilisations, formerly known as the National Museum of Abidjan, is the most important museum in Côte d'Ivoire. Its red walls make it instantly recognizable among the skyscrapers of the Pateau business district. A symbol of the country's ethnic diversity and cultural richness, the museum offers an overview of the vitality of Ivorian creation, preserving collective memory and cultural unity while promoting Ivorian culture.

A colossal elephant skull in the entrance hall welcomes visitors to the museum, divided into six thematic areas: archaeological, contemporary, and Akan, Krou, Gur, Mandé, the four main ethnic groups. Initially, the colonial administration opened a crafts center to promote the value of handicraft production, but the space was enlarged before becoming a museum in 1972. The museum displays ethnographic, archaeological, and iconographic artifacts from across Côte d'Ivoire, many of which were acquired during the colonial era. These include masks, statues, jewelry, musical instruments, and weapons from the Palaeolithic era to modern times. The museum has a small bookshop in the reception area, while the garden is decorated with colorful works of contemporary art. If you want to discover the traditional side of Côte d'Ivoire in the heart of its capital, the Musée des Civilisations is a must in Abidjan.

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Musée des Civilisations - Mon (11am - 4pm), Tue-Sat (9am - 4pm)

32 Bd Carde

Abidjan

Côte d'Ivoire

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MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL COURT OF ABENGOUROU - ABENGOUROU     

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Abengourou is located in the east of Côte d'Ivoire, the capital of the Comoé district near the border with Ghana, and is home to the Agni people. The Royal Court Museum of Abengourou is housed in a palace built in 1883 by King Amoikon Dihye II, an Agni king. The mud and wood building reflects the local traditional architectural techniques. It is a sacred and significant place for the Agni people as it was once the residence of the 16 ancient kings. It was converted into a museum in 2008 by one of the kings to show the royalty in the land of Agni and present the kingdom's history, the royal attributes and symbols, their role, their utility, and their use.

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The visit of the Royal Court includes ten rooms, each named after a former monarch and reflecting the traditions of the Agni Via: communication instruments, archives, symbol of power, royal vault, royal regalia, the sacred, reception room, King's room, mother's collusion, curator's office. At the entrance is the Museum of Royal Attributes, the Ceremonial Room, the precious, sacred, and protected place where the King sits during ceremonies.

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Museum of the Royal Court of Abengourou

Abengourou

Côte d'Ivoire

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MUCAT- ABOBO                    

Located in the lively suburb of Abobo, the Museum of Culture, Contemporary and Traditional Arts, or MuCat, aims to connect the local community with the world of culture. Thanks to a program that includes contemporary art from all over the world, cultural events that highlight the urban culture of Abobo, educational initiatives, and activities for young people, it has become an integral part of the Ivorian cultural landscape, promoting free access to art, culture, and artistic education for all sections of the population.

The first museum dedicated to contemporary art, the MuCat, is remarkable for its architecture and selection of works. Designed by the Ivorian architects Koffi & Diabaté, who also designed the Orange headquarters and the Onomo Hotel in Abidjan, the concrete building has large windows opening onto a garden where sculptures and other works of art are displayed. The two exhibition rooms occupy a large part of the museum's 3500 m2, with their open spaces delimited by concrete walls. The museum also has a library, a cafeteria, a conference room, a bookshop, an archive room, and four administrative offices.

It also organizes conferences and workshops on Ivorian culture, dance, literature, and photography. It has hosted the Abidjan Street Act, the African Photography Fair, and international artists, offering an overview of contemporary African culture.

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MuCat - Tue-Sat (9am - 6pm)

Rond-point de la Mairie

Abobo

Côte d’Ivoire

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MUSEE MUNICIPAL D’ART CONTEMPORARY - COCODY     

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Opened in 1993, the Musée d'Art Contemporain de Cocody is a municipal museum whose mission is to stimulate public interest in the visual arts and to promote the development of the arts in Côte d'Ivoire. Located in Cocody, the wealthy district where most of the country's art galleries are concentrated, the public museum is a hub of Abidjan's cultural life and displays over 100 works.

The museum's collection includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, tapestries, designs, and photographs by major Ivorian artists. Emmanuel Djobi, Youssouf Bath, Samir Stenka, Augustin Kassi, and Mathilde Moreau are among them, presented through permanent and temporary exhibitions. From Côte d'Ivoire, Africa, and other continents (Europe, America), the museum showcases local talent and introduces Ivorians and tourists to the creation of the world.

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Contemporary Art Municipal Museum

M’pouto Riviera 2

Cocody

Côte d’Ivoire