Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE SOUTH
Benin's south is an enticing but intriguing mix of heavenly shores and momentous history.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Porto Novo
POP 270,00
Nestling on the shores of Lake Nokoué, Porto Novo is Benin's unlikely capital. Its leafy
streets, wonderful colonial architecture, unperturbed pace and interesting museums are in
striking contrast to full-on Cotonou.
The Portuguese named the city after Porto when they established a slave-trading post
here in the 16th century.
Sights
Centre Songhai
GARDENS
( 20 24 68 81;
www.songhai.org
; Rte de Pobè; guided tours CFA500; guided tours at 8.30am, 10.30am, noon,
3.30pm & 5pm Mon-Sat)
The Centre Songhai is a major research, teaching and production centre
in sustainable farming. There are one-hour
guided tours
to visit the plantations and work-
shops. You can also buy the centre's produce - anything from fresh quail eggs to biscuits
and preserves. Songhai is about 1km north of town. Every
zem
knows where it is.
Musée Ethnographique de Porto Novo
MUSEUM
( 20 21 25 54; Ave 6; admission CFA1000; 9am-6pm, closed 1 May & 1 Jan)
Housed in a pretty coloni-
al building, this museum is well worth a gander. The top floor is organised thematically
around birth, life and death, with everything from costumes to carved drums. Downstairs
there's an impressive display of ceremonial masks.
Musée Honmé
MUSEUM
( 20 21 35 66; Rue Toffa; admission CFA1000; 9am-6pm, to 5pm Sat & Sun)
This establishment is
housed in the walled compound of King Toffa, who signed the first treaty with the French
in 1863. The site hasn't been well maintained and you'll need some imagination to make
something out of the bare chambers, but François, the guide, puts on a good show.
