Maison des Esclaves
Rue Saint-Germain, Dakar, Senegal, 10300
Situated on Gorée Island, off the coast of Senegal, the Maison des Esclaves is a large pink structure once used as the boarding point for enslaved people heading to the new world on ships. Today, it’s a monument and museum that serves as a reminder of the atrocities of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The basics
The 18th-century Maison des Esclaves is one of the key attractions on the UNESCO-listed Island of Gorée, the largest hub of trading enslaved people on the African Coast for many centuries. Virtually all tours of the island—many of which include transportation from Dakar hotels—spend time at this harrowing attraction. Many full-day city tours of Dakar include visiting the island and the historic house.
Things to know before you go
The Maison des Esclaves is a must-visit for history buffs.
Younger visitors might need help to fully grasp the gravity of this attraction or may find the stories behind it upsetting.
The Maison des Esclaves is not wheelchair-friendly.
How to get there
The Maison des Esclaves is located on Gorée Island, a 25-minute ferry ride from Dakar’s passenger port. To get there, take a boat to the island and then follow signs north to the sight. It’s only about a three-minute walk from the Gorée Island passenger terminus. Alternatively, join a tour that includes transportation from your Dakar hotel.
When to get there
The Maison des Esclaves is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Monday. It opens in the late morning, closes for a few hours in the middle of the day, and then reopens after lunch. The best time to visit Gorée Island is during the dry season in Senegal, which runs from roughly October until May.
Other things to see on Gorée Island
The Maison des Esclaves is among the most important sights on Gorée Island, but there's plenty more to see here, too. Popular attractions include cannons used in the film Guns of Navaronne and the IFAN Historical Museum, which traces the history of Senegal from ancient times onwards. On the island's tip, there's also a tiny, sandy beach—the Plage Des Amoureux.
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