The artisan market at Grand-Bassam has grown up organically over the past two decades in the abandoned buildings of the historic quarter. Artisans from across Côte d'Ivoire and neighbouring countries have set up workshops and stalls in the old colonial houses, drawn by the steady flow of weekend visitors from Abidjan.
The range of work is broad: hand-carved wooden masks from the forest regions, bronze castings in the Ashanti tradition, hand-dyed wax-print fabric, beadwork, and woven baskets. Quality varies considerably from stall to stall, and bargaining is expected and enjoyed. Some of the craftspeople are producing serious work; others are selling tourist-grade souvenirs. The difference is usually obvious once you know what to look for.
This is one of the better places in Côte d'Ivoire to buy traditional crafts, partly because the competition keeps prices honest and partly because the presence of working artisans means you can sometimes watch things being made before you buy them.