Your stay — chez Noura
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The Property — chez Noura
Chez Noura is a modest three-star in the quiet residential district of Yamoussoukro, a short drive from the Basilica. The lobby feels like a lived-in family home — tiled floors, a few armchairs, and the faint smell of waakye from the small restaurant. It suits independent travellers who need a clean, no-frills base and want to explore the city's grand monuments without paying resort prices.
Chronicles of Yamoussoukro
Yamoussoukro became the political capital of Côte d'Ivoire in 1983 under President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who was born here. Its skyline is dominated by the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, consecrated in 1990 and modelled on St. Peter's in Rome but built with local marble and Italian stained glass. The city was laid out with wide boulevards and government buildings in a modernist African style, though much of the population lives in low-rise neighbourhoods with mango trees. Today it retains a sleepy administrative feel, with the Fondation Félix Houphouët-Boigny and the adjacent lake providing a quiet centre for visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Full Yamoussoukro guide →Best months
December-February: dry season, clear skies, temperatures around 25-30°C. Crowds are low because most tourists head to the coast.
Peak / festival surge
August: peak of the long rainy season, but also the Festival of Masks in nearby villages. Hotel prices stay flat because Yamoussoukro is never a high-volume destination.
Budget shoulder season
June and November: tail ends of the wet months with occasional showers but fewer travellers. Prices drop and the landscape is lush.
Weather & packing
July is the wettest month in Yamoussoukro, with heavy afternoon downpours and 85% humidity. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers, plus mosquito repellent for the evenings.
Live City Briefing — Yamoussoukro
- The main Abidjan-Yamoussoukro expressway (A3) is mostly pothole-free after recent resurfacing; expect a 2.5-hour drive from the airport.
- The Basilica still offers guided tours daily at 0900 and 1500, but check for the current opening schedule as hours can shift during the rainy season.
- Several new street-food stalls have opened along Boulevard Houphouët-Boigny, serving attiéké and grilled fish — a better dinner bet than hotel restaurants.
Hotel Facilities — chez Noura
Free WiFi in lobby; paid 10,000 XOF/day for premium speed (20 Mbps) in rooms; password changes daily
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital press via a tablet in lobby (Fraternité Matin); no physical newspapers; heritage: original 1980s mosaic floor in entrance
Check-in from 14:00; luggage drop from 10:00; checkout by 12:00; late checkout (to 18:00) costs 15,000 XOF (if available)
Free luggage hold on day of check-in or checkout
Step-free via ramp at side entrance; main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms
On-site free parking for 12 cars (first come, first served); nearest public car park is 200 m away, 2,500 XOF/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1,000 XOF per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required; 30,000 XOF incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Use bank ATMs in town for the best rate; avoid airport exchange kiosks which offer poor rates.
Cards are accepted in major hotels and some upscale restaurants, but most local shops and market stalls require cash.
Tipping is modest: round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants, and small change for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side café of instant coffee with milk, about 500 XOF
Plate of attiéké (cassava couscous) with grilled fish or chicken, around 1,500 to 2,000 XOF
Street-stand brochettes (skewered meat) with alloco (fried plantains) or a bowl of garba (tuna and attiéké), roughly 1,500-3,000 XOF
Along the main roads near the market and bus station you'll find plentiful street stalls selling grilled meat, fish, and local staples
Super U and small local épiceries (corner shops) stock basic goods
Marché de Yamoussoukro: open-air market with second-hand and new clothing at low prices
Shared taxi (bush taxi / woro-woro) costs around 200-500 XOF per short trip within town; airport is close to city center so walking or a cheap moto-taxi (about 1,000 XOF) will suffice
Pay with local cash (XOF) to avoid dynamic currency conversion charges; eat from street food stalls rather than sit-down restaurants; haggle at the market for a fair price.
Emergency Contacts
YamoussoukroFor SOS medical evacuation in Yamoussoukro, call +225 27 22 44 50 50. For the fire brigade (Sapeurs-Pompiers), dial 180 from any phone. Police can be reached on 110 or 170; national police station in Yamoussoukro is +225 27 22 64 02 30. Keep a local SIM for reliable calls. French is widely spoken; have someone local help if you don't speak it.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Yamoussoukro, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at chez Noura
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Yamoussoukro Airport (ASK) → Hôtel le refuge
💡 Ask the hotel to arrange this when you book your room. They'll send a driver with a sign, and the price is fixed.
Gare Routière d'Adjamé, Abidjan → Gare Routière de Yamoussoukro
💡 Use UTB or STIF buses for air conditioning. Buy your ticket a day ahead for a seat; the bus gets cramped.
Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ), Abidjan → Hôtel le refuge, Yamoussoukro
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in; drivers often ask 50,000 CFA. Fix 35,000 CFA if you book via the hotel.
Gare Routière de Yamoussoukro → Hôtel le refuge
💡 Look for green-striped taxis. Tell the driver 'le refuge' or 'plateau 1'—most know it. Pay before you get out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is check-in at chez Noura?
Check-in at chez Noura is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does chez Noura have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby; paid 10,000 XOF/day for premium speed (20 Mbps) in rooms; password changes daily
Is there a city or tourist tax at chez Noura?
1,000 XOF per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near chez Noura?
Plate of attiéké (cassava couscous) with grilled fish or chicken, around 1,500 to 2,000 XOF
What is the cheapest way to get around from chez Noura?
Shared taxi (bush taxi / woro-woro) costs around 200-500 XOF per short trip within town; airport is close to city center so walking or a cheap moto-taxi (about 1,000 XOF) will suffice
When is the best time to visit Yamoussoukro?
December-February: dry season, clear skies, temperatures around 25-30°C. Crowds are low because most tourists head to the coast.
Top Attractions in Yamoussoukro
💡 Come in the evening when the fountains are lit up. Street food stalls sell grilled maize and brochettes for 500-1000 CFA. Avoid midday heat.
💡 The best photo spot is from the roundabout opposite. No entry inside without prior permission, but the grounds are open. Guard may allow a quick look if you're polite.
💡 Go early morning (07:00-08:00) when the crocodiles are most active. No fee, but vendors sell fish scraps—buying a small bag for 200 CFA lets you feed them.
💡 Visit late afternoon for good light and fewer crowds. Guards may let you onto the plaza for photos without paying for the interior tour.
💡 The guided tour is free but tip the guide 1000-2000 CFA. Check if the garden café is open for cheap refreshments.