ArchitectureAssinie

Assinie, the elite's weekend beach

Assinie

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A narrow peninsula about 90 km east of Abidjan between the Atlantic and the Aby Lagoon, the weekend retreat of Abidjan's elite and expatriates. The point where the lagoon meets the sea is called La Passe.

Abidjan's own beaches have big waves and are poor for swimming, while Assinie's lagoon side is calm and private.

CE QUE VOUS VERREZ · What you will see

On Friday afternoons, Abidjan's luxury cars head east; the Atlantic on one side, the lagoon on the other, villas and resorts in between.

POURQUOI · So what

'The weekend in Assinie' marks upper-class life in Abidjan, and is a place for informal socialising and business. It is also the birthplace of the writer Bernard Dadié, and where French missionaries and traders first settled in the late 17th century.

SAVOIR-FAIRE · How to use it

Being invited to a villa in Assinie for the weekend signals that you are 'inside the circle'. Bring an interesting gift, Taiwanese tea for example.

Asian and European parallelsLike Kenting for Taipei, or Hayama and Karuizawa for Tokyo: a wealthy weekend not far from the city.

Where to experience itEast of Abidjan, via Grand-Bassam.

On these routes

Two Days on the Coast: Grand-Bassam and Assinie