Rediscovery, Disassembly, and Return to France of the Niamey Tropical House

We arrived in Niamey in October 2000, determined to locate this house if it still existed, which was by no means certain. We obviously had no information regarding its location.

After 3 days of unsuccessful searching, we were informed of the “K6 iron shack” located in a discreet neighborhood, behind the Presidential garage. The Niger River flows below. The information was accurate. We had passed within 500 meters of the house dozens of times, without suspecting its presence at the end of a laterite cul-de-sac.

We were looking for a building in an open area, relying on period photographs. It is now surrounded by a cement wall.
The first moving glimpses of the transom and roof emerging above the wall.
We pushed open an old gate and discovered the house in its entirety amidst a vast, deserted plot. It is intact and appeared to us like “Sleeping Beauty,” waiting for us to awaken it. Its name “K6” is stenciled near the entrance… The rest of the adventure in Niger was nothing but joy and unforgettable encounters. The house stored in our warehouse patiently awaits its moment of glory.

Eric Touchaleaume