The
former capital of Senegal, looking very much like
New Orleans, Saint Louis was built in 1659 on the
continent, an island, and a peninsula. It is a city
rich in history with narrow streets, wooden balconies
and beautiful patios.
Saint
Louis was the main trading port during the eighteen
and nineteen centuries and, like Goree Island was
a major slave depot. The city can be visited on foot
or in a traditional horse-drawn carriage. Its festivals,
cultural life, and its joyous celebrations of holidays
have gained a well-deserved reputation.
From
Saint Louis, exciting trips can be taken down the
Senegal River to the traditional and historic towns
of Podor, Bakel, and Matam with their distinctive
mud architecture.
An hour north lies the extraordinary Djoudj
National Park, an oasis of freshness and
tranquility that is home to 3 million birds during
winter. In the south is the Langue de Barbarie National
Park, a refuge for birds and sea turtles, which gather
here to breed.
I
:
Where to go?
