Côte d’Ivoire —  Palais Royal de Grand-Bassam

Located within the French Colonial district of Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, is the Palais Royal de Grand-Bassam. While a president presides over Côte d’Ivoire, individual tribal kingdoms still exist within the country. While the central government rules nationally, these individual kingdoms hold sway over regional cultural and spiritual matters. Palais Royal de Grand-Bassam is the royal palace of one of those kingdoms — Awoulae Tanoe Amon — who heads the N’Zima Kotoko kingdom.

And while this is called a palace, Palais Royal de Grand-Bassam isn’t a residence. It serves more as a royal court for subjects of this particular kingdom.

I did not photograph the interior, as that is frowned upon. But exterior shots are welcome.

Palais Royal de Grand-Bassam was not the only such royal court we saw this day. This one, which I believe is presided over by King Nanan Kanga Assoumou, was just minutes away:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)