Les Palais de la Présidence

Barely having been sworn in as the first President of the new, independent Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, after the signing of the transfer of powers on August 7, 1960, Félix Houphouët-Boigny decided to build a Presidential Palace, on the exact site of the Governor’s Palace. As classic as it may be, the symbol is powerful. The highly contemporary option chosen for this new Palace contrasts with the classical style so characteristic of colonial buildings.

To the north, opposite the current Presidential Palace, on the esplanade, a new building offers additional services and administrative space. This building is an extension of the Palace. The building has five above-ground levels and four underground levels, with a restaurant, gym, and also archiving and storage facilities. The project was entrusted to architect Pierre Fakhoury. The sky is reflected in the fully glazed facades, punctuated like a musical score.

The private residence of the President of the Republic, commonly known as the “Little Palace,” has three levels. A pool, adorned with fountains, adjoins this residence. A wall with openwork decoration separates them, whose play of light at night adds to the magic of the place. Several bronze sculptures of fish and birds decorate the pool.

On March 21, 1983, President Félix Houphouët-Boigny declared Yamoussoukro the capital of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. With schools, hotels, a presidential residence, a foundation, and the world’s largest basilica, Yamoussoukro, anchored almost in the center of the country, is a symbol whose power is evident in its history. Until 1919, the place was called N’Gokro.