Abidjan

The two large accredited schools are the Lycée international Jean-Mermoz, in Cocody, and the Lycée Blaise-Pascal, on two campuses (Marcory and Cocody), both from nursery to the final year. Other accredited primary schools exist across neighbourhoods (Cours Sévigné, Paul-Langevin, Jules-Verne...). Places are sought-after: apply as soon as the move firms up, and compare fees on /en/cities/abidjan/school-fees/.

Choose first according to the school, as rush-hour traffic at drop-off time is fierce. Cocody (Ambassades, Danga, Riviera Golf, II Plateaux) is close to Jean-Mermoz, Riviera 3 and 4 to Blaise-Pascal's Cocody campus, and Zone 4, Biétry and Marcory résidentiel suit the schools in Abidjan South. Details on /en/cities/abidjan/settling-in/.

Every family member, children included, needs a biometric visa (from the Côte d'Ivoire consulate or as an e-visa) and a vaccination record showing yellow fever. The visa lasts three months: you then apply to ONECI for a residence card, valid five years, including for children under 16. Also remember the free consular registration.

Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter the country, from 9 months, and records are checked on arrival. Bring the family up to date with the French schedule, then discuss hepatitis A, typhoid, ACWY meningitis, BCG and rabies with an international vaccination centre, depending on age and length of stay. Everything is on /en/cities/abidjan/health/.

Malaria is present year-round: treated bed nets, covering clothes in the evening and age-appropriate repellents, plus a preventive treatment to discuss with your doctor. Any fever calls for a prompt consultation, and antimalarials are never given without medical advice.

Yes, it is essential: clinics ask for payment or a deposit before treatment, even in an emergency, and the embassy covers no costs. Choose insurance covering hospitalisation and medical repatriation, CFE or an international policy; several Abidjan clinics have direct-billing agreements.

In Abidjan, every doctor speaks French. The consulate publishes a medical list with several paediatricians in Plateau, Cocody and Marcory, which we reproduce on /en/cities/abidjan/health/. Book a first visit as soon as you arrive, so the doctor knows your children.

Call the SAMU ambulance on 185 or go to a 24/7 emergency clinic, such as PISAM in Cocody or Polyclinique Farah in Marcory, with enough to pay a deposit. Outside office hours, the consulate's on-call line handles genuine emergencies involving a French national on +225 07 07 07 05 21.

Household staff are common in Abidjan. Favour recommendations from people around you (previous tenant, colleagues) or from families leaving the country via expat groups, agree a trial period and declare your employee: minimum wage, transport allowance, year-end bonus and CMU registration are mandatory.

Yes, for the first six months. After that, it must be exchanged for an Ivorian licence: authentication by the French préfecture that issued it, then a file at the DGTTC in Plateau. Many families use a driver at first, while getting used to the traffic.

For an expat, yes: Abidjan ranks among Africa's most expensive cities. Family housing, school, electricity with air conditioning and imported goods weigh heavily, while local produce, water and home help remain affordable. Our page /en/cities/abidjan/settling-in/ details the budget.

Abidjan Accueil, part of the FIAFE network, has welcomed newcomers since 1982: monthly coffee meetups, outings, a teen club, walks in the Banco forest or on the lagoon. UFE, Français du monde and the schools' parent associations round out the network. Outing ideas on /en/cities/abidjan/family-outings/.