Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ging to spot that bamboo lemur in the canopy, but that's what makes it so re-
warding when you do.
Fianarantsoa
POP 193,000
Madagascar's second-largest city, Fianarantsoa
(Fi-a-nar-ant-soo)
, or Fianar for short, is
like a mild version of Tana. Surrounded by hills, it is both a regional commercial, adminis-
trative, andreligious centre, andamajor transit point.Tourists typically come heretospend
the night on their way to Ranomafana or Isalo, or to take the famous train to Manakara.
Oddly enough, the airport has no regular flights anymore. You won't find many
vazaha
living here, either. But visitors can enjoy a historic old town, a great local market, some
interesting places to stay, and a more laid-back ambience than the capital.
The city is divided into three parts. Basse-Ville (Lower Town), to the north, is a busy,
chaotic area with the main post office and the train and taxi-brousse stations. Up from
Basse-Ville is Nouvelle Ville (New Town), the business area, with banks and several ho-
tels. Further southwest and uphill is Haute-Ville (Upper Town), which has cobbled streets,
a more peaceful atmosphere, numerous church spires and wide views across Lac Anosy
and the surrounding rice paddies.
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
Haute-Ville
NEIGHBOURHOOD
The oldest and most attractive part of town is the Haute-Ville (known as Tanana Ambony
in Malagasy). A stroll (or climb) around the cobbled streets here offers great views of the
surrounding countryside. In the centre of Haute-Ville, and dominating the skyline, is the
imposing
Ambozontany Cathedral
, which dates back to 1890.
