Cotonou Cultural Tour Highlights Ganvié and Dantokpa Point of Sale

Your day begins with a pick-up at your Inn by your Guide and your driver, before heading off to discover Cotonou’s legendary Dantokpa Point of Sale. A vibrant maze in the heart of the city, Dantokpa is West Africa’s largest Open Point of Sale and the commercial heart of Benin.

Walking through its bustling alleys, you’ll be immersed in an explosion of colors, scents and sounds: mountains of spices with mesmerizing scents, wax fabrics with vivid patterns, tropical fruit stalls, local crafts, medicinal herbs and traditional objects. Your Guide will reveal the secrets of this fascinating place, its organization, its economic importance and its central role in the daily life of Beninese.

This authentic immersion will allow you to feel all the energy and cultural richness of Cotonou, as close as possible to its inhabitants and their traditions.

After visiting the Point of Sale, continue on to Ganvié, Africa’s largest stilt lake village, nestled on the peaceful waters of Lake Nokoué.

Here, all life is organized around water: we are born there, we live there, we fish there, we trade there and we move exclusively by canoe.
Upon arrival, discover the Floating Point of Sale, where the women, elegantly seated in their traditional canoes, offer fresh produce and general merchandise, creating a colorful ballet on the water.

Then embark on a guided tour through the village canals. Over time, your Guide will reveal the history, organization and traditions of this unique community.

You will also have the opportunity to enter a traditional house on stilts and share a privileged moment with its inhabitants. An authentic immersion that will allow you to better understand the daily life, customs and exceptional cultural heritage of the people of Ganvié.

Continue your discovery with a visit to the Cotonou Arts Point of Sale, a must-see place to admire Beninese craftsmanship. You will find wood carvings, traditional masks, bronzes, jewelry, textiles and art objects reflecting the cultural richness of the country. A great opportunity to exchange with artisans and bring back authentic memories.

Continue your discovery with the Amazon Monument, one of the most emblematic symbols of Cotonou.

Inaugurated in 2022, this impressive 30-metre-high bronze statue honours the famous Dahomey Amazons, legendary women warriors who have left their mark on the history of the Kingdom of Dahomey with their bravery and exceptional discipline.

Overlooking the esplanade, facing the Atlantic Ocean, the monument embodies the strength, courage and pride of the people of Benin. Your Guide will tell you the fascinating story of these elite warriors, their strategic role within the kingdom and the legacy they left in the cultural identity of modern Benin.

An ideal stop to take photos and better understand this major part of national history.

End your visit with the Graffiti Wall of Cotonou, a true open-air urban art gallery.

This vibrant place highlights the creativity of Beninese youth through colorful and committed frescoes. Each work tells a story, evokes iconic figures, social messages or contemporary cultural expressions.

Between modernity and tradition, this last step offers you a different look at Cotonou, more artistic and current, and is an ideal setting for beautiful souvenir photos.