Grand-Bassam Department was created in 1998 as a second-level subdivision via a split-off from Aboisso Department.[4] At its creation, it was part of Sud-Comoé Region.
In 2011, districts were introduced as new first-level subdivisions of Ivory Coast. At the same time, regions were reorganised and became second-level subdivisions and all departments were converted into third-level subdivisions. At this time, Grand-Bassam Department remained part of the retained Sud-Comoé Region in the new Comoé District.