Flights to Abidjan with Air France from CAD 1,314*

Flights to Abidjan from Canada with Air France

The Ivorian city of Abidjan has grown from a town of thousands to a metropolis of over 4.7 million in the space of decades, making it West Africa’s largest city after Lagos. Air France operates regular flights from Montréal to the so-called ‘Manhattan of the Tropics’, which is five hours ahead of Quebec’s largest city. Abidjan’s tropical climate is characterized by a distinct rainy season from March to July, and again from September to December, with much drier periods in between. Temperatures typically hover around the mid-twenties Celsius all-year round. The official language of the city is French, although the local dialect exhibits some differences compared to standard French and the local currency used is the West African CFA Franc, which is also accepted in neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso.

Numerous international travellers on flights to Abidjan are connected with NGOs, many of which have regional headquarters in the city, including UNICEF, the WHO, the ILO and the IMF – although the political capital of the country was moved to Yamoussoukro in 1983. However, most of the country’s key political institutions have remained in Abidjan, as have most foreign embassies (including that of Canada). For more information about travel formalities and vaccinations before travelling, the relevant Air France webpages on health and well being will keep you on track.

Abidjan – a music-lovers’ paradise with non-stop nightlife

Abidjan has a reputation for having a lively entertainment scene, mostly centred around dance music of different kinds, including the very popular Zouglou and Coupé Décalé, both of which were largely developed in the Ivory Coast. The key nightlife hubs are centred around Treichville and Yopougon. Don’t forget to try out some of the local street food whilst you’re at it – choose from Alloco, fried diced plantain, Choukouya (a range of seasoned meats with onion and peppers), or Garba (ground cassava with fried tuna, onions, tomatoes and peppers).

As Abidjan attracts musicians from all over West Africa, it’s not surprising that it boasts numerous festivals, covering music genres from jazz to Afropop to Reggae. The Palais de la Culture, built in 1999, is one of the key venues in the city, hosting multiple concerts every year.

From the National Museum to national parks, Abidjan has something to interest everyone!

There are plenty of sights to enjoy by day in Abidjan too. The National Museum offers a fascinating walk through the history and ethnography of the Ivory Coast, but it’s just one of several different galleries and museums in the city. The ‘Plateau’ area of town is home to many key landmarks, including the parliament and the enormous St Paul’s Cathedral with beautiful stained-glass windows and a striking architectural design. The building was dedicated by Pope John Paul II in 1985.

Although slightly outside the city, Banco National Park is a firm favourite with visitors. There’s an abundance of walking trails and impressive forested scenery. Local guides can help you get the most from the experience, including helping you spot birds and butterflies.

If you’d like to hire a car and see a little more of the country, Air France’s dedicated car rental page will point you in the right direction. This section also contains links to hotel bookings in the city with an opportunity to earn Flying Blue Miles.

These top travel websites will help you plan your stay in Abidjan

Useful websites to consult before your flight to Abidjan with Air France:

• canada.diplomatie.gouv.ci/contacts.php?lang=en
• tourismeci.org/agences.htm
• - although not in English, this website contains many contact details for travel agents and tour operators based in the Ivory Coast.
• travel.gc.ca/destinations/cote-d-ivoire-ivory-coast