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The ABISSA uses to take place during the two weeks preceding, and including, the first week-end of November. 

All the events linked to the ABISSA are held in "Le Quartier France", the Old colonial area of the city of Grand-BASSAM.

Grand-BASSAM itself is a small town of  approximately 70 000 inhabitants, located  20kms east from the big West African metro of ABIDJAN

the economic capital of CÔTE d'IVOIRE (Ivory  Coast).

Grand-BASSAM offers very comfortable accomodations for a more than reasonable price.

For the hotels we recommend, L'Etoile du Sud, Le Téréso and  Il Capricio, all three on Sea Front next to Le Quartier France.

Or Mantchan  and N'Sa Hôtel on route d'Aboisso.  

One thing easy to enjoy in Bassam is food. From the refinement of French cuisine to the delicious African meals

or the so typical Ivorian grills, served with ATTIEKE, a local Cassava couscous : Poulet Braisé, Poisson Braisé or Lobsters;

in a country where a Lobster is almost as cheap as a chicken....

For the restaurants we recommend, Le Wharf , Il capricio, L'Assoyam and la Taverne Bassamoise all on the sea front

and in Côte d'Ivoire one has to try the "MAQUIS", open air places where you can enjoy music having a beer,

with some typical Ivorian grills or more sophisticated African meals.

We recommend "Maquis l'Escale" route d'Aboisso or "Maquis de la Plage" in Quartier France.   

 Those who are interested in African crafts, may just lay on the beach...

hawkers saling all kind of items pace up and down  the sand all day long.

F

Those who prefer strolling should enjoy the "Aboutou poteries" or "Le centre artisanal" in Quartier France,

and love "Le Village artisanal" a 2 kms line-up of booths offering the most enchanting of West African arts.

It is at the entry of BASSAM , route d'Abidjan.  

For a tourist coming to BASSAM, the main entry gate  is L'Aéroport international d'ABIDJAN Félix Houphouët Boigny,

 distant of just 25 kms.  All major Hotels of BASSAM provide shuttles from the Airport.

Many companies serve connexions to Abidjan-FHB, from North America, South America, Europe, Asia or the Middle East. Notably

Air France, Air Ivoire, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Kenya Airways, KLM, MEA, SN Brussels, Royal Air Maroc, South African Airways, Virgin...

But the traveller who arrives by the airport of Abidjan FHB can directly go to BASSAM, ignoring the hectic 4 millions inhabitants megalopolis.

However ABIDJAN worths more than a glance. Few cities can personify the third millenium Africa as well as ABIDJAN.

Behind the scenery of modern and impersonal city there is Africa's heart that beat.

And when comes night the beat becomes Frantic...

From BASSAM, ABIDJAN can easily be reached by  road: rented car, Taxi or intercity buses (which are very cheap). But the most enchanting  way

to approach the city  is through the Lagoon. Isn't ABIDJAN  "the pearl of the Lagoons"???