Village des Artisans
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
18 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
8
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Gradley
Aurora, IL23 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Small local vendors with all the same stuff. Prices are high but they are willing to negotiate so don’t ever take the first price they offer. Also don’t tell them what you are willing to pay.
Most everything is bought from other markets and brought here to resell at a higher price
Most everything is bought from other markets and brought here to resell at a higher price
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Toni G
San Antonio, TX67 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
This small collection of stalls is tucked away in a side street, but your taxi driver should know where to take you. Admire the beautiful carved pillars as you enter, they are superb!
Once inside, you will follow a circular route to take you around the collection of stalls, each one manned by a vendor who will continue to insist he will give you a "bon prix" (good price.) Do not be fooled into believing him! The prices are horrendously high, and you deserve to be fleeced if you're foolish enough to pay what they ask! Start by making a counter offer of about 55 to 60% less than they ask. So, if they want CFA100,000, offer them CFA40,000 to 45,000 and work your way up from there. Do not be afraid to walk away if they stick to their guns. The item you want is in the next stall. And the next, and the next!
That being said, please do be considerate. These folks have homes to care for and families to feed, and this is their livelihood. In the end, you should be paying about 75-80% of the original asking price. Also, do not begin bargaining if you do not intend to buy.
Now, on to the assortment of goodies you'll find here. Almost everything! They have a lot of different masks, and many of the vendors actually have a reference book (looks like a National Geographic guide) of the masks of the country. There is also a large collection of statues, both wooden and stone, jewelry, furniture, paintings, tablecloths, and clothing. If you have the time, wander around the whole place, and then go back to whatever took your fancy and begin your negotiations. There are subtle differences in the items with each vendor, although they may look the same at first glance.
While this place is pricey (and most of Gabon is very expensive) they have an excellent selection of genuine Gabonese art.
Once inside, you will follow a circular route to take you around the collection of stalls, each one manned by a vendor who will continue to insist he will give you a "bon prix" (good price.) Do not be fooled into believing him! The prices are horrendously high, and you deserve to be fleeced if you're foolish enough to pay what they ask! Start by making a counter offer of about 55 to 60% less than they ask. So, if they want CFA100,000, offer them CFA40,000 to 45,000 and work your way up from there. Do not be afraid to walk away if they stick to their guns. The item you want is in the next stall. And the next, and the next!
That being said, please do be considerate. These folks have homes to care for and families to feed, and this is their livelihood. In the end, you should be paying about 75-80% of the original asking price. Also, do not begin bargaining if you do not intend to buy.
Now, on to the assortment of goodies you'll find here. Almost everything! They have a lot of different masks, and many of the vendors actually have a reference book (looks like a National Geographic guide) of the masks of the country. There is also a large collection of statues, both wooden and stone, jewelry, furniture, paintings, tablecloths, and clothing. If you have the time, wander around the whole place, and then go back to whatever took your fancy and begin your negotiations. There are subtle differences in the items with each vendor, although they may look the same at first glance.
While this place is pricey (and most of Gabon is very expensive) they have an excellent selection of genuine Gabonese art.
Written January 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Comments3
Libreville, Gabon100 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
As everywhere, this is a flea market where you can find handycraft, jewels, food etc.
You can bargain everything and sellers are nice enough.
The only problem is that the market is in a narrow place...
You can bargain everything and sellers are nice enough.
The only problem is that the market is in a narrow place...
Written March 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ameya V
Pune, India33 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
Good place to go for a visit in case you're interested in buying souvenirs. There's a big selection of arts, handicrafts, woodwork, and of course Gabon mask. Slightly expensive, but the goods seemed of decent quality. I'd recommend for a visit for strong bargainers :-)
Written April 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ginger_on_the_go
Chattanooga, TN6 contributions
Oct 2019 • Business
There was some good merchandise there but all of the business owners were very pushy (as I guess you would expect in a place like that) I think it was so much worse because I was one of the only non-locals so everyone was focused on selling me stuff and it got pretty aggressive. Also, watch out for fake and manmade "gemstones." And if you're buying any "silver" or "gold" jewelry, bring a magnet... Also, never take a 1st or 2nd offer... The starting price is normally at least triple what you should actually pay.
Written October 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
yvesdjuma
Johannesburg, South Africa208 contributions
Jul 2017 • Business
Very wide selection of souvenir from Gabon but expensive so try divide there selling price by two. Most of the sellers are Senegalese and not local Gabonese. Please always bargain or else you will pay way too much.
Written August 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alison V
49 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
Fantastic in-door market stuffed full of local arts and crafts. Paintings, Carvings, Jewellry and Clothing. Be prepared to Haggle and walk round all the stalls - all part of the fun !
Written January 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tsareviews
Cape Town Central, South Africa641 contributions
Jul 2017
Great art and souvenirs to take home. We absolutely loved all the different cultural clothes, face masks and drums available for purchase. Please haggle for the best price before buying.
Written June 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Village des Artisans (Libreville) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Village des Artisans
- Hotels near Village des Artisans:
- (0.11 mi) Hotel Le Cristal
- (0.08 mi) River Lodge Gabon
- (0.29 mi) Location saisonnière meublée proche aéroport et mer
- (0.53 mi) Hôtel LEET Dorian
- (0.38 mi) Hotel Adagio
- Restaurants near Village des Artisans:
- (0.10 mi) L'Emir
- (0.09 mi) LA KANTINE
- (0.26 mi) Le Pelisson
- (0.29 mi) Pilipili
- (0.10 mi) Ankiri Food