A colonial island town at the mouth of the Senegal River
Saint-Louis was founded by the French in the 17th century on a narrow island in the Senegal River, and it served as the capital of French West Africa. The old town has colonial houses with wooden balconies and wrought-iron railings, reached by the long iron Faidherbe Bridge. Across a channel, the fishing quarter of Guet Ndar is lined with colourful pirogues. The town hosts a well-known jazz festival, and the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary to the north draws pelicans, flamingos and migrating birds.