Once a French colonial town, Thies is the third-largest city in Senegal, though it is of little interest to tourists. If you find yourself there, visit the local museum (inside a fort) and spend time at the Thies Village Artisanal, a delightful place to buy beautiful souvenirs while watching the artists at work. It's much calmer than the Artisanal Village in Dakar, 40 mi/65 km west. Leather goods, woven items, silver, wood carvings and drums are available.
Tivaouane, a town just to the north, has a striking Saharan-style mosque and is an Islamic pilgrimage center.
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