PRIVATE LIBRARY
Read moreAre you doing research on Mauritania, the Sahel or do you like books and the smell of paper? Don't hesitate for a second: call Ahmed Mahmoud Mohamed, known as Jemal, an exceptional man. From his grandfather's manuscripts to encyclopedias, bibliographies, legal texts, sociology, anthropology, history, geography, this man composed himself this library collection that he opens to any interested person: students, researchers, tourists, residents... A place as magical as its designer.
FISHERMEN'S BEACH
Read more10 minutes from the center, discover the artisanal fishing port and the fishermen's beach, with its multicolored wooden boats in the colors of Senegal. You have to go there according to the tides, when the boats come back loaded with fish and they are spread out in front of the barge. The others jostle each other, apostrophize each other, while the fishes are still wriggling. It is a real dive into the life of Nouakchott, a bath of crowd and fish! A word of warning, however: pickpockets can sometimes slip into the crowd.
OLD CITY
Read moreTo try to imagine what this city could have been, it is necessary to wander through the streets of Chinguetti, sandy and blocked by the scree. You breathe Chinguetti by walking there, you measure the threat of the danger which guards the city by falling, with the angle of a street, on the dunes of the erg Ouarâne. In this maze, at the turn of a house, some goats appear, as if to show you the way. Don't be fooled by the exterior of the houses, some are still occupied in July and August for the Guetna, the festival of dates.
MOSQUE
Read moreThe mosque of Chinguetti is a superb dry stone building, restored many times. It is one of the rare buildings of the old city still intact, and for good reason! You can see from far away its characteristic minaret, which served as a landmark for the faithful returning from the pilgrimage to Mecca. The mosque having been founded in the 13th century, its minaret would be the second oldest still in use in the whole world! The four corners of its tower end in spikes on which are impaled ostrich eggs.
NATIONAL MUSEUM
Read moreOrganized in two spaces, the museum presents on the first floor a part dedicated to archaeology and ethnology, which traces the evolution of man in the regions of present-day Mauritania. In the space upstairs, objects of nomadic daily life are exhibited: traditional habitat, palanquins, games, musical instruments, dishes, medicinal plants ... The building also houses the Mauritanian Institute of Scientific Research, the Conservation Center of Mauritanian manuscripts and the National Library.
D'ART ESPACE DES CRÉATIONS
Read moreCreated by Malika Diagana, director and photographer, and Saleh, visual artist, D'Art espace des créations is a place of exchange, creativity and welcome, which works for the emergence of arts in Mauritania. The two cultural entrepreneurs offer to see painting and photography through exhibitions, and propose cultural events in partnership with local structures. For a different look at Mauritanian culture and identity.
BEN AMIRA'S MONOLITH
Read more4 km north of the railway line between Nouadhibou and Choûm, at kilometer 395, Ben Amira is one of the most breathtaking places in Mauritania. It is the largest monolith in Africa (over 600 m) and the third largest in the world, after Uluru and Mount Augustus in Australia. The legend says that originally there was only one monolith and that during the "divorce", the man would have stayed with the 2 children (the 2 smaller monoliths), while the woman, Aisha, would have left with her servant to settle 5 km further...
THE HOT POINT
Read moreYou will understand why the cell phone market is nicknamed "hot spot" when you find yourself in the middle of the crowd! This is where you will find SIM cards for the 3 Mauritanian operators: Mattel, Mauritel and Chinguitel. The galleries host all the trades related to the purchase and repair of phones and electronic equipment. In the courtyard, music sellers are at war with each other with decibels, tea sellers wander from one store to another ... One of the places where the change of scenery takes all its meaning.
MOROCCAN MOSQUE
Read moreIn the south of the city, the Moroccan mosque is a reference building in Nouakchott because its architecture reminds the great Koutoubia of Marrakech. It is characterized by its square minaret. Since you have come this far, take the opportunity to visit the Mauritanian tent market (khaimas), which is easy to spot. Also nearby, the SOCIM market is rather exotic with its stalls of fruits and vegetables, its sellers of coal, empty cans of motor oil and frying that are recovered to transport water ..
PARC NATIONAL DU DIAWLING
Read moreWelcome to Diawling National Park! The website is quite extensive: it describes the conservation and development actions carried out by the park team, as well as the presentation and history of the park. A section is entitled "Visit the DNP", which will be useful to get practical information: how to get there, where to stay, what excursions are possible, what handicrafts are presented, how to behave in the park...
FONDATION VERGNOL
Read moreTo learn more about Mauritania from prehistoric times to the present day, a visit to the Vergnol Foundation is a must. Books, photos, postcards, stamps, jewelry, traditional handicrafts have been patiently and passionately collected to be exhibited in the foundation's museum. A superb collection, like a case protecting the national wealth which is both the guarantor of a collective memory and a vector for future generations. The foundation is located near the French embassy. Do not hesitate to make an appointment!
LE CAFÉ DES ARTS
Read moreDaly, who is at the origin of this meeting place, is a painter. The décor is original: at the Café des Arts, pallets and colored tires serve as tables. Daly exhibits some of his works and organizes musical evenings and philosophical debates. A recent and rare initiative for the city of Nouadhibou. You can also order brochettes, grilled chicken, kebabs, hamburgers, for 200 to 350 MRU. A place to see, to try, for its variety, and to support Daly, whose namesake makes you smile in the middle of Mauritania.
ECHOES OF THE SAHEL
Read moreLes Echos du Sahel as well as the two other structures it hosts are not a magazine but an association aiming at the promotion and democratization of art for all. It is a place of cultural exchange and artistic creation which offers to children, young and old workshops, courses, supports and tools in the following fields: sound techniques, musical label, recording studio, support to innovative projects, art and dance school, concerts, events... A real place of creation in Nouakchott.
ART GALLÉ
Read moreCreated by Amy Sow, a Mauritanian multidisciplinary artist, this art gallery and artists' residence invites you to come and drink a good espresso, a Mauritanian tea or a bissap while visiting its ephemeral exhibitions. This place of exchanges and meetings, with wood (explosive in the neighborhood), innovative ideas and recovery everywhere, also welcomes you during special events and workshops: plastic arts with children, evening discovery of the Mauritanian culture or a local dish... Contact Amy and find out!
WOODEN CAMP
Read moreA beautiful place to bivouac: many trees, surrounded by beautiful dunes. In fact, it is rather the only place to bivouac! You will even find a well, which is rare in the surroundings. The GPS coordinates of this site are: 21°07'34" N, 11°22'41 "W. Now, take a little height, go up again, and imagine your tent, planted in the area of Guelb er-Richat... For this reason alone, the bivouac is worth it at this place! It is said that it is in the wooded camp that Théodore Monod joined his wife, after having explored the crater and its secrets.
NEOLITHIC MUSEUM
Read moreIn the middle of the desert, under a hut, Yeslem collected hundreds of pieces of the Neolithic, such as bifaces, elephant teeth, weights for fishing nets... We must encourage him in his initiative of safeguarding, because these are so many pieces that will not go into the luggage of unscrupulous collectors. One cannot help but have a thought for Theodore Monod, the scientist and explorer, who in his time surveyed the Mauritanian relief in search of such pieces. Coordinates : 21°29'36 "N,11°19'53 "W
CATHOLIC PARISH
Read moreAt the end of 2018, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania officially recognized the Catholic Church, allowing for an exchange of ambassadors with the Holy See. The parish of St. Joseph's Cathedral, erected in 1965 by Pope Paul VI, is a small haven of peace where one can stay if necessary. On Sundays, several masses are held: at 7:30 am, 9 am and 11 am. They are mainly attended by sub-Saharan Africans residing in Mauritania, who represent about 2,000 faithful, and about 40 different nationalities.
JARDIN D'EDEN
Read moreA palm grove in the middle of the Tekemkent oasis, which has a botanical garden with fruit trees: pomegranate trees, grapefruit trees, mango trees, banana trees, lemon trees. The vegetable garden is filled with aromatic plants: basil, lemon grass, mint... An oasis that wears its name divinely well! You will even have the possibility of bathing in a large basin in the shade of the date palms... A basin which is also used to water all the plants of the garden. This palm grove also has tents and toilets for accommodation.
LES PLAGES
Read moreSultanas, Bahamas, Oceanides... No, you are not in Istanbul, nor in the West Indies, nor in Greece, but on the Mauritanian coast, less than 20 kilometers north-northwest of downtown Nouakchott. Although the capital enjoys a charming shoreline, a strip of sand sand wedged between the concrete and the bitter wave, its most popular beaches are located away from the city. To the south, the edges, wild as can be, stretch (almost) uninterrupted to the Senegal River delta. In the north, the nearest beaches do not have the (almost) virginity of their southern counterparts, but they are equipped with infrastructures making them more attractive. If you opt for the north, take the N2 from Nouakchott to the international airport and to Nouadhibou. To reach the Bahamas beach, don't miss the directional sign, near the asphalt, marking the starting point of the access track. For the Sultanes and Océanides beaches, take the asphalt road leading to the Al Salam Resort, 2 kilometers further north (PK 13). These three beaches, although geographically very close, are unique in their atmosphere and sociological composition. Generally very busy on weekends, the Sultanes beach, with its restaurant, its fine sand, its volleyball court and its umbrellas topping transatlantic boats, is particularly popular with expatriates. The friendly owner of the place, Nicolas (+222 44 33 22 53), who is both in charge of the place and the mill, had the judicious idea to install equipped cabins (refrigerator, air conditioning, shower...) and tents in order to hear the surf during the night. Count 5 000 MRU for 24 hours for the first ones, 1 000 MRU per night for the second ones. Much quieter and less crowded, the Océanides beach (+222 22 91 91 52) has khaimas, ideal for families to enjoy a mechoui. Here, you can eat (fish, shellfish ...) and find inspiration, like the writer Beyrouk who wrote two of his novels in this place. Finally, the popular Bahamas beach (+222 20 75 77 77) is characterized by its local color: twirling pitchouns, dromedaries (50 MRU for a very short ride along the waves), effluent of food concocted under the canvas, music without mute ... This beach is also equipped with a paddling pool and swings for the youngest. Whichever beach you choose, you will have to pay 100 MRU for parking.
CENTRAL MARKET
Read moreIn the center of Nouadhibou, in the old quarters, the central market is a real anthill where you can find superb handicrafts. Chests, bracelets and jewelry are offered for sale. You will have to take your time and have a good sense of negotiation! You will also find beautiful fabrics, which seamstresses will be happy to work on to make the garment of your choice. The most difficult thing will be to choose among the countless colors and patterns available!