10 Best Things To Do In Cotonou, Benin

1. Appreciate African art at Fondation Zinsou

Fondation Zinsou is an exhibition space geared for African artists. It started in 2005 in order to share cultural, social, educational, and artistic parts of Beninese history with its own people as well as the rest of the world. And since then they’ve only grown with every year. Till date, they’ve held 28 exhibitions, have had almost 5 million visitors and have provided 120 full-time jobs. They have set up mini-libraries that are close to all public schools and have granted them free access for the sake of the children’s’ education. They have also set up cafes and shops and all profits from these establishments go into running the foundation. They do not depend on the state for funding at all, in fact, they offer aid to the state for specific jobs.

Fondation Zinsou

Address: Rue des Missions, R 7012, Opposite the central police station; 01BP7053, Cotonou, Benin

Website: Fondation Zinsou

Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)

Price: Free admission to all exhibitions and activities

2. Find your next favourite talisman at Dantokpa Market

Dantokpa Market is the largest open-air market in the entirety of West Africa. It was first set up in 1963 and presently spans more than 20 ha (49.4 ac) of market space. They have a turnover of 1 billion XOF a day (approximately 1.7 million USD.) They sell a wide range of things from fruit to animals, voodoo talismans to electronics. When you’re at the market, it is quite common to see moving traders with wicker baskets in addition to the stalls set up around the space. Their loud calls and interaction contribute to the bustling atmosphere of the market. You’ll also notice that most of the traders are women, while men help with the transport of goods. There also are not many vehicles which makes it safe for the children to run around and play.

Dantokpa Market

Address: Cotonou, Benin

Website: Dantokpa Market

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

3. Get sand in between your toes at Fidjirosse Beach

Fidjirosse Beach is a small beach that is perfect for spending your day or evening, especially if you’re travelling with friends or couples. The beach’s sandy shore is dotted with small, local businesses who sell food, drink, or tiny tourist trinkets that range from voodoo talismans to feathers and jewellery. You can also find fresh fish, caught daily from the local fisherman and if you want to spend more than a day relaxing here, plenty of cheap accommodation is available nearby. The best time to go is during the week, as during the weekends it gets a little crowded. Please be mindful that swimming is not advised as the currents are strong and dangerous.

Fidjirosse Beach

Address: Fidjrosse Route Des Peches, Cotonou Benin

4. Soak in the tranquility at the Cotonou Cathedral

The Cotonou Cathedral, known also as Notre Dame de Misericorde (French for mercy) is the largest church in Cotonou, Benin. It is one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the country and was constructed in 1883, but only gained attention in 1955 after it was made the mother church of the archdiocese of Cotonou. The most striking feature of this cathedral is its unique façade, which is made of up of red-and-white horizontal stripes. This design is formed by the alternating colours of the ceramic tiles. The inside of the church is considerably more sober in design in comparison to the outside. The best time to visit the church is during the church service, as the choir has gained significant acclaim.

Cotonou Cathedral

Address: Ave Clozel, Cotonou, Benin

5. Admire the unique architecture at Etoile Rouge

Etoile Rouge, or the red star square, is a symbol of the influence of the era of Marxism-Leninism in Cotonou, Benin. It was constructed by the Russians and inaugurated by General Mathieu Kerekou as a result of his political beliefs in 1974 to 1975. It consists of a gigantic circle, at the centre of which is a giant five-pointed star in red, and a tall monument. The Etoile Rouge central tower has three symbols at the top, which stands for three things important to Beninese history: compulsory military service, firewood as an energy source, and agriculture. It is a great place to take pictures and to absorb some interesting history.

6. Try your hand at a workshop at French Cultural Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The French Cultural Center is an initiative that was taken up in 1963 to encourage dialogue with foreign cultures. They have forged a strong network with 98 other institutes, and with their help, have held exhibitions, workshops, concerts, film screenings, and cultural festivals all year round with the exception of July and August. The centre hosts these events in their auditorium and three exhibition halls which have seats that range between 80 to 1,250 seats. Their library has amassed more than 30,000 books, and they have a stunning garden which is open to the public.

French Cultural Center

Address: 01 BP 416 Cotonou, Benin

Website: French Cultural Center

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

Price: between 1,000 and 1,500 XOF (2 - 3 USD)

7. Dine in luxury at Le Privé Restaurant

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed.

Le Privé Restaurant is a high-end restaurant in Cotonou, Benin which serves French-European cuisine. It is popular as it is modern, clean, and has spotless service by everyone who works there. As and when you arrive, you’re greeted by the host who will take you to your table and will ensure that all your needs are taken care of throughout your visits. They make delectable dishes and have a good selection of wine. Do try out their Gamba’s Diabolique - a shrimp based dish.

Le Privé Restaurant

Address: Rue 864B, Cotonou, Benin

Opening hours: 8am - 12am (daily)

8. Check out what the new artists have come up with at CanalOlympia Wologuédé

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

CanalOlympia Wologuédé is a network of cinemas which links Canal + content, with Parisian theatre - L’Olympia. This initiative was created in order to provide a platform for local artists. The company provides film screenings, concerts, conferences, and meetings. Impressively, the entire building is entirely solar-powered.

CanalOlympia Wologuédé

Website: CanalOlympia Wologuédé

9. Have a drink at Le Code Bar

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Le Code Bar is a six-year-old bar that features a year-round menu with tapas, a la carte dishes, and cocktails. The interiors ooze with high class, with a 360-degree counter, hip furniture and mood lighting. They also have a games area with billiards, football, and a darts board. They’re so successful that they’ve been integrated into the Beninese professional ecosystem.

Le Code Bar

Address: Zone de l'aeroport Cotonou, Benin

Website: Le Code Bar

Opening hours: 6pm - 2am (daily)

10. Try freshly caught fish from the Cotonou Lagoon

Cotonou Lagoon is part of the Lake Nokoué - a 20 km (12.4 mi) wide and 11 km (6.8 mi) body of water. The lagoon is formed by a strip of land that divides the lake into two. The lake gets its water from the Oueme and So rivers. Cotonou is located on the Southern border of the lake, while the other bordering town, Ganvie, is called by some as the Venice of Africa as the entirety of the city sits on stilts. The lake is an important source of food for the locals - more than 30 species of fish are harvested out of the 78 species who live in the water. In fact, approximately two tonnes/hectare/year of fish are harvested. Unfortunately, the waters are slowly getting polluted so the fish need to be cleaned and water purified prior to consumption.

Have fun exploring Cotonou

Cotonou has so many unique activities that you’ll definitely never be bored. From intriguing exhibitions to delectable eats, Cotonou’s spots will fill up your itinerary. What did you think about these activities? Let us know in the comments!