Located on the Grande Côte near the mouth of River Senegal in the northwest, Saint Louis was the capital of colonial Senegal under the French from 1673 to 1902. It also served as capital of French West Africa between 1895 and 1902, and was the capital of colonial Mauritania from 1920 to 1953.
Saint Louis is composed of the mainland (Sor), the island (Île de N’Dar) and the peninsula (Langue de Barbarie). Connecting the island to the mainland is the 507.35 meters long Pont Faidherbe which was inaugurated in 1897; while the peninsula is linked to the island via the Pont Mustapha Malick Gaye.
Being near or surrounded by water, Saint Louis enjoys a pleasant climate, even though it is in the tropics. It has two seasons: rainy, from June to October, and dry which runs from November to May. Evenings through to mid-mornings are often cool, with temperatures averaging 20°C a year. Day time average is about 31°C annually.
The island (Île de N’Dar) is a network of narrow streets and colonial buildings which are easy to explore by foot. However, you can choose the option of a calèche or a taxi to take you around. In 2000, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Saint Louis is big on tourism and it continues to attract tourists into Senegal regularly. The city is a melting pot of cultural diversity, blending the local with the French and Mediterranean Arabs, a feat which is reflected greatly in the cuisine and lifestyle.
