Things to Do at Félix Houphouët-Boigny Bridge

Complete Guide to Félix Houphouët-Boigny Bridge in Abidjan

About Félix Houphouët-Boigny Bridge

Felix Houphouet Boigny Bridge in Abidjan showcases authentic historical architecture and cultural artifacts preserved through careful restoration efforts. Admission ranges from 3,000 CFA (5 USD) to 9,000 CFA (15 USD) depending on guided tour options and seasonal pricing variations. The site features original construction materials and period-appropriate furnishings that provide genuine insights into local heritage and traditional craftsmanship. Visit during weekday mornings when crowds are smaller and lighting is optimal for photography The experience combines educational value with atmospheric details where weathered stone surfaces warm under morning sunlight while visitors explore spaces that have witnessed centuries of local history and cultural development.

What to See & Do

Panoramic City Views

The midpoint sits high enough to see container ships at the port to the east and the green ridge of Banco forest to the northwest. Golden hour turns the lagoon surface into hammered bronze. Shoot west for the best light on the Plateau towers

Cable-Stayed Architecture

Twin 120-meter pylons anchor 80 stay cables in a fan pattern - the geometry is sharp and photogenic from both the roadway and the lagoon shore below. Built by Bouygues on a Chinese-financed contract. Impressive for a city that managed with only two bridges for decades

Lagoon Perspectives

Below the roadway, pirogues (wooden canoes) weave between water taxis and the occasional cargo barge. The lagoon is brackish and wide here - nearly a kilometer across. Early morning, fishermen cast nets from the shallows near the Cocody shore

Sunset Photography

Between 5:30 and 6:00 PM, the sun drops behind the Plateau skyline and backlights the cables in orange and pink. The city switches on building by building. Best captured from the Cocody approach ramp where you can frame both towers against the sky

Urban Connectivity Experience

Crossing the bridge on your first day in Abidjan is the fastest way to understand the city. Plateau is business and government. Cocody is leafy residential streets and the university. The lagoon divides them, and this bridge stitches them together in five minutes flat

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Open 24/7. Toll booths operate around the clock. No pedestrian walkway - this is a vehicle crossing only

Tickets & Pricing

Toll: 300 CFA francs (about $0.50 USD) per car. Taxis include the toll in their fare. No pedestrian access

Best Time to Visit

Between 5:00-6:00 PM for sunset light on the cables and skyline. Avoid 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM rush hours unless you want to sit in traffic on the approach ramps

Suggested Duration

The crossing itself takes 3-5 minutes without traffic. Budget 15 minutes total with the approach roads. Not a place to linger - enjoy it from the car

Getting There

Tell any taxi driver "Pont HB" or "le troisieme pont" - everyone knows it. From Plateau, the on-ramp is near the Sofitel Hotel Ivoire area. From Cocody, access is off Boulevard Latrille near the university. A taxi from Plateau to Cocody via the bridge costs 2,000-3,000 CFA francs (about $3-5 USD). Yango and Uber both operate in Abidjan and cost less than street taxis. The bridge connects naturally into any Plateau-to-Cocody route, so you will likely cross it without planning to. Rush hours (7:00-9:00 AM, 5:00-7:00 PM) can add 20 minutes to the approach - midday is clear.

Things to Do Nearby

Plateau District
Abidjan's gleaming business district with modern skyscrapers, government buildings, and the bustling Treichville market area nearby

Cocody University Area
The residential district on the other side, home to the University of Cocody and some of the city's more upscale neighborhoods with tree-lined streets

Ébrié Lagoon Waterfront
Various points along the lagoon offer boat trips, waterside dining, and a chance to see traditional fishing communities alongside modern development

St. Paul's Cathedral
An architecturally striking modern cathedral in the Plateau district, designed by Italian architect Aldo Spirito with a distinctive contemporary style

Banco National Park
A surprisingly accessible patch of primary rainforest within the city limits, perfect for a nature break from urban exploration

Tips & Advice

You cannot stop on the bridge itself - no shoulder, no walkway. Photograph from the approach ramps or from the lagoon shore in Cocody where the full span is visible

Ask your taxi to take the bridge even if the older crossings are slightly shorter. The 300 CFA toll is nothing for the view. Sit on the right side heading toward Cocody for the best lagoon panorama

For the best exterior photos of the bridge, head to the lagoon shore near the Cocody marina or the waterfront restaurants in Plateau. The full cable-stayed profile photographs well from about 500 meters out

Pair the crossing with a visit to Banco National Park (15 minutes from the Cocody end) or the Plateau cathedral. The bridge works as a transit point, not a destination - build it into your route between neighborhoods