Travel Guide Nouadhibou

Some inhabitants of the economic capital of Mauritania like to recall, not without mischief, that they are called Stéphanois. Indeed, Nouadhibou has long been called Port-Étienne. It is also known for having been the scene of the exploits of the Aeropostale pilots between the two world wars. The action of Terre des hommes, the novel written by Saint-Exupéry in 1939, takes place there.At that time, the city was not yet a city, there was at most a hangar for the planes, a building for the crews of the planes and a fortified building to shelter the military. Nouadhibou was so isolated and protected by the surrounding desert that the attackers arrived here at the end of their strength. In spite of the appearances of its location on the Atlantic Ocean, Nouadhibou often lacked water. The French colonists had to bring it by boat from France.Today, Nouadhibou is the economic capital of Mauritania, thanks to its mineral port which ensures the export of iron ore extracted in Zouerate to industrial countries, as well as its industrial fishing port where many ships anchor to stalk their prey in the most fishy waters of the world.The city is no longer the obligatory point of passage for travelers who wish to go from Europe to Senegal by land: they can indeed "skip" Nouadhibou thanks to the tar road that leads directly to Nouakchott, 38 km before Nouadhibou. Nevertheless, it would be a pity to ignore this city and its peninsula which, by certain aspects, gives the feeling to be at the end of the world.Nouadhibou is built lengthwise, along a north-south axis that stretches for about 10 kilometers. It benefits from a pleasant climate, due to the maritime trade winds which lower the temperatures while chasing the clouds. Winter nights can be cool, even cold! The nearby Bay of Greyhound, in addition to its sumptuous landscapes sculpted by erosion, is known to sport fishing enthusiasts, and its coastline offers a superb sample of sandstone cliffs and immense fine sand beaches. The bay of Etoile is a paradise for migratory birds and offers ideal conditions for kitesurfing.