Benin - West Africa - page 87

COTONOU
POP 890,000
Cotonou is Benin's capital in everything but name: a vibrant, bustling, full-on city, and
very much the economic engine of Benin. As a first port of call, it can be a little over-
whelming, but life can be sweet in Cotonou, with good nightlife, great restaurants and ex-
cellent shopping (ideal for end-of-trip souvenirs).
Sights
Grand Marché de Dantokpa MARKET
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
(north of Jonquet) The seemingly endless Grand Marché du Dantokpa is Cotonou's throbbing
heart, bordered by the lagoon and Blvd St Michel. Everything under the sun can be pur-
chased in its labyrinthine lanes, from fish to soap, plastic sandals to goats, pirated DVDs to
spare car parts. More traditional fare, such as batiks and Dutch wax cloth, can be found in
the market building. The fetish market OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP section is at the northern
end of the larger market.