OBELISK OF MARCEL TREICH-LAPLÈNE

The first part of his name may sound familiar to you. Yes, you are right — it is from this name that we derive the name of the commune of "Treichville" in Abidjan. Treich-Laplène was a French explorer, the first to have discovered and explored Côte d'Ivoire. He was even the country's first colonial administrator. He explored Côte d'Ivoire with the help of the King of Krindjabo at the time, signing several treaties with traditional chiefs along the way. During the signing at Yakassé, he was forced to spend about ten days there due to malaria he had contracted. Continuing his march, he was stopped at the current border with Ghana due to the advance of Great Britain. Having passed away at the age of 30, an obelisk was dedicated in his honor, and you can see it in the city of Grand-Bassam.