Grand Marché De Treichville — Local services in Treichville

I'm South African. I knew coming here would be culturally different, but I didn't quite expect the level of poverty I saw. If you are sensitive to bad smells, flies, and meat (ALL parts of animal from head to toes) being chopped up in front of you with flies hovering), don't go.

This is an African market. It's their way of life. The market is the perfect place to find locally made Ivorian clothing and crafts, which is what I was after. Going to the usual shopping centres don't offer that, they pretty much have the same branded stores as back home... I don't need that.

The market is busy, filthy, people from neighbouring stalls all trying to get your attention to buy something from them. Children following you begging for some money. Not unusual at all... Just overwhelming if you don't like busy places or speak the language/ dialect.

Beautiful bright coloured clothing, bags, shoes etc. I didn't bother to haggle because what I was charged was more than reasonable anyway. If you smile, people smile back. They are generally friendly if they see you're friendly. I am very grateful and blessed for where I am from. This is an eye opener.

But, if you want local stuff to take home as souvenirs and not pay commercial prices, get a local to go with if your French is bad. But do support them. Be kind.

They don't like you taking pictures....

NB. Have small CFA cash notes ready. You will find it difficult even with taxis to get change. Keep lots of CFA500, 1000, and 2000...

Ok have you ever smelled a chicken? How about 100? Well, go to this this market and you’ll get the privilege of smelling the pungent fragrance of multiple chickens lol! Yeah but on another note, there’s a lot of great things there: they sell artifacts, fabrics and if you go up the stairs, they have a lot of beautiful items made with African fabrics (purses, fans, sandals etc…) on the 2nd floor, there’s tailors in case you’re interested, just go visit the place you’ll find...

Grand marché de treicheville is quite a big market where you can buy everything you need in you kitchen but also make quick shopping of clothes , shoes and a huge variety of local and cultural stuffs. Finding the place is not a big deal , if you are on your way from Plateau to Bassam once you reach Treicheville, it's located right in the "gare de basam"...