How far is Grand-Lahou from Abidjan?

Around 145 kilometres west, roughly two and a half hours on the coastal road.

What is Grand-Lahou known for?

The mouth where the lagoon system meets the Atlantic, the old colonial trading town being lost to coastal erosion, and Azagny National Park nearby.

Can you visit Azagny National Park?

Yes, with arrangements made locally. It holds forest elephants, buffalo and manatees, and is far closer to Abidjan than Taï or Comoé.

Is old Grand-Lahou still inhabited?

Partly. Erosion has taken much of the spit and most of the population moved to the new town inland.

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Grand-Lahou: where the lagoon meets the sea.

Grand-Lahou sits at the mouth where the Bandama lagoon system opens to the Atlantic, a hundred and forty-five kilometres west of Abidjan. There is an old trading town slowly losing ground to the sea, a spectacular meeting of fresh and salt water, and Azagny National Park with elephants and manatees nearby. It is one of the more atmospheric places on the coast and sees very few visitors.

Aerial view of a wooded island where lagoon and ocean meet

Where lagoon and sea meet

A town the sea is taking back

Old Grand-Lahou, on the spit, has been steadily eroded by the Atlantic, and buildings from the colonial trading era stand in various stages of being lost. The population largely moved to the new town inland. It is a striking place and an uncomfortable one, and worth seeing for both reasons.