Le Plateau is the reason Abidjan was once called the Manhattan of the tropics: a compact grid of banks, ministries and 1970s towers on a bluff above the Ébrié Lagoon. The 26-storey Centre de Commerce International d'Abidjan, completed in 1982 on Avenue Jean-Paul II, is the best-known of them, and the skyline also carries the Pyramide, the cathedral's suspended cross and the Tour F under construction. The classic view of the whole ensemble is from the Treichville or Cocody shore, not from inside the district itself.
Seeing Le Plateau properly means walking its grid of banks, ministries and 1970s towers on foot, since the district's character comes from the density of modernist architecture rather than any single building open to visitors; the 26-storey Centre de Commerce International d'Abidjan (CCIA tower), completed in 1982 on Avenue Jean-Paul II, is the tallest and most recognisable of them, though like the surrounding towers it remains private office space closed to casual visitors. A walking circuit that takes in the CCIA tower, the cathedral's suspended cross, La Pyramide and the newer Tour F under construction takes one to two hours at an unhurried pace, with the numerous boulevards making for reasonably comfortable walking outside of peak heat. The single best view of the ensemble as a skyline, rather than as individual buildings seen from street level, is from across the lagoon in Treichville or Cocody, where the full cluster of towers is visible against the water; visitors wanting the classic skyline photograph should plan a stop on one of those shores rather than expecting it from inside the Plateau itself. Streets in the district are open at any hour, but the character of a visit changes sharply by time and day: weekday daytime brings a dense working crowd and heavy traffic, the district empties by around 19:00, and Sunday mornings offer the rare experience of walking the boulevards without contending with cars, which is also when photography of the streetscape itself is easiest.
| Admission | Free to walk; the towers are private offices and are not open to visitors |
|---|---|
| Hours | Streets open at any hour; the district empties after about 19:00 and at weekends |
| Typical visit | 1 to 2 hours on foot |
| Best time | Sunday morning, when traffic disappears and the boulevards can actually be walked and photographed |
| Getting there | Every SOTRA bus line and the Plateau bus terminal on Avenue Lamblin serve the district; the lagoon bateau-bus from Treichville lands at the Plateau quay |
| Address | Avenue Jean-Paul II and Boulevard Lagunaire, Le Plateau, Abidjan |
Location
Avenue Jean-Paul II and Boulevard Lagunaire, Le Plateau, Abidjan
5.3315, -4.0222 View on map
Highlights
- 26-storey CCIA tower, completed 1982, the district's tallest landmark
- Compact grid of banks, ministries and 1970s modernist towers
- Cathédrale Saint-Paul's suspended cross and La Pyramide visible along the walk
- Classic skyline views best seen from across the lagoon in Treichville or Cocody
- Once nicknamed the Manhattan of the tropics
Tips for visiting
- Walk the district on a Sunday morning for empty boulevards and easy photography
- For the classic skyline photo, cross to the Treichville or Cocody lagoon shore rather than staying in the Plateau
- The towers are private offices, not open to visitors
- Combine with visits to the cathedral, La Pyramide and Mosquée Salam, all within walking distance
- Avoid the district after about 19:00, when it empties and feels deserted
When to visit
Sunday morning, when traffic disappears and the boulevards can be walked and photographed freely.
Accessibility
The main boulevards have paved, mostly level pavements, making the district one of the easier parts of Abidjan to navigate on foot or by wheelchair, though crossings can be busy on weekdays.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
One to two hours for an unhurried walking circuit of the main landmarks.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, street-level photography is unrestricted, though photographing government buildings closely may draw attention from security staff.
Is it worth it for kids?
It works better as an architectural walk for adults and older children than as an activity for young children.
Is there an entrance fee?
No, walking the streets is free; the towers themselves are not open to visitors.