Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Presidential Palace
HISTORIC BUILDING
This beautiful 19th-century manor was an official French residence for many years. It be-
came the Malagasy presidential palace in 1975 and remained so until president Didier Rat-
siraka decided to build a more modern complex about 15km south of the capital in 1991.
The mansion remains an official residence but is generally quiet. In a bid to balance the
colonial architectural influence, Andry Rajoelina, president of the high transitional author-
ity (the administration in power since the 2009 coup), ordered that a replica of the King's
Palace at Ambohimanga be built right next to it.
Lac Anosy
LAKE
Antananarivo's heart-shape lake lies in the southern part of town, an easy downhill walk
from Haute-Ville. The lake is particularly lovely in October, when the jacaranda trees are
covered in purple blossoms. On an island connected to the shore by a causeway stands a
large white angel on a plinth, the
Monument aux Morts
(Monument to the Dead; admis-
sion Ar5000), a WWI memorial erected by the French.
There's a daily
flower market
just across the road from the causeway entrance, where
florists prepare kitschy but incredibly intricate bouquets and floral compositions. The mar-
ket and entrance to the causeway are at the southern end of the lake.
The area around the lake has somewhat deteriorated over the last couple of years, so
avoid wandering here on your own and definitely never after dark.
Gare Soarano
HISTORIC BUILDING
Tana'soldtrainstationdoesn'tseemuchpassengertrafficthesedays,sothelovelybuilding
has been converted into a small, but upmarket shopping centre. There are regular art shows
of Malagasy artists downstairs, as well as chichi boutiques. Upstairs, you'll find clothes
and jewellery designers offering their wares in an open-plan space.
LA MICHELINE
In 1929, French engineer André Michelin, of tyre fame, patented the use of
pneumatics on rail vehicles in a bid to improve passenger comfort. Trials were
hugely successful and 'Micheline' wagons were soon zooming up and down the
world's rail tracks.
Madagascar didn't escape the craze and got its first Micheline in 1932. By
1953, there were seven in regular service, but lack of maintenance and invest-
