Cameroon - West Africa - page 205

Boulangerie La Paix (Rte de Foumban; pastries from CFA150; 8am-10pm) sells good bread and
sticky sweet treats in the morning, and is a handy general food shop the rest of the day. Su-
permarché le Point (Ave de la République) , at the opposite end of Rue de Marché, fulfils the same
function. The usual fish and meat stalls come out at night.
Minibuses to Foumban (CFA800 to CFA1000, one hour) depart from near Carrefour
Total, along with shared taxis. Agencies to Yaoundé (CFA2500 to CFA3000, three hours)
and Douala (CFA4000, five hours) have offices along the main road south of the town
centre. Transport to Bamenda (CFA1500, 1½ hours) leaves from the Bamenda road, north
of the town centre (CFA150 in a shared taxi).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Foumban
Foumban has a deep tradition of homegrown arts and the traditional monarchy centred on
a sultan, who resides in a palace. The town is plopped architecturally and conceptually
between West and North Africa, as if the Sahel and its sharp music, bright robes and Islam
- this is the city with most Muslims in the south - were slowly creeping into the eastern
corner of West Province.
There's a slow internet cafe east of the market. CPAC bank (south of the market) may
change euros if you're lucky, but it's best to change money in Bafoussam.
Sights
The Grand Marché is a warren of narrow stalls and alleys, which are great fun to explore; the
paths eventually lead to where the Grande Mosquée faces the palace.
Palais Royal PALACE
(Rue du Palais; admission CFA2000, camera CFA2000; 9am-6pm) The must-see attraction of Foumban
is the sultan's palace, currently home to the 19th sultan of the Bamoun dynasty. It has a
fascinating and well-organised museum containing previous sultans' possessions and
great historical insight into the region - assuming you know French. You'll find the palace
opposite the market and main mosque, the minaret of which can be climbed as part of the
palace tour.
Village des Artisans ARTS CENTRE