Playclub (Hôtel Al Afifa, 46 Rue Jules Ferry, City Centre, Dakar) – this is a classy club which attracts a mature 30 and over crowd. There’s live music, often with bands that play Salsa and local musical sounds.
Palais Présidentiel (Ave.Léopold Senghor, Dakar) – this neo-classical mansion, inaugurated in 1907 was once the official residence of the Governor General of French West Africa, and became the residence of independent Senegal’s head of state — from Léopold Senghor (1960-1980), to Abdou Diouf (1980-2000), Abdoulay Wade (2000-2012) and current president Macy Sall (since 2012).
Place des Tirailleurs (Dakar) — this is a square featuring a statue dedicated to African history, especially to the Senegalese soldiers who participated in World War I and in the construction of Dakar’s railway station. The statue of French soldier Dupont and French West African rifleman Demba (executed in bronze by French sculptor Paul Ducuing […]
Olympique Club (Boulevard Martin Luther King, cornice ouest, Dakar) – this is a fitness facility, which offers a variety of classes (such as aerobics, oriental dance, and yoga), as well as fitness machines and weights. There is also a swimming pool here, and as many as eight tennis courts. Tennis champion Serena Williams visited Olympique […]
The Antenna Gallery (9, rue Felix Faure, Dakar) – in existence since 1972, this gallery is dedicated to African tribal art. Among the items shown are the Marthe Everlé and Claude Everlé collections (consisting of wooden masks, figures, stools and beds from 15 countries in West and Central Africa, along with Benin and Dogon bronzes […]
IFAN Museum / Museum of African Art (Place de Soweto, Dakar): This is one of the oldest art museums in West Africa. It was founded in 1936 as part of the Fundamental d’Afrique Noire Institute (IFAN) during the French colonial period, and was transferred to the Cheikh Anta Diop University in 1960. It has important […]
Slave House (Gorée Island, Dakar): This building, which facilitated the dispatch of slaves from West Africa captured to the Americas, was built by the Dutch in 1776. The Portuguese built a slave retention facility on the island in 1444. The tours of this building highlight the separate waiting areas for men, women and children. An […]
Henriette-Bathily Women’s Museum (Rue Malavois and Saint-Germain, Goree Island, Dakar): This museum, opened in 1994, is located in a French colonial residence built at the end of 1700 and which at that time was owned by the rich businesswoman Victoria Albis, owner of slaves. During the 1800s, it was converted into an island court, and […]
Galerie le Manège / Institut Français Sénégal (3 Rue Parchappe, Dakar) – this gallery, located in a renovated 19th century French colonial building, holds workshops, seminars and events to promote the cultural development of the country, artistic exchange between France and Senegal, and dialogue among the cultures. Six exhibitions with different thematic approaches are held […]
Dakar Grand Mosque (Avenue Allees Papa Gueye Fall, Dakar) – located within walking distance of Dakar’s port area, this mosque (designed by French and Moroccan architects), was opened in 1964 by Moroccan King Hassan II and Senegalese President (and independence figure) Léopold Sédar Senghor. This is one of the most important religious buildings in Senegal, […]