Towns in Benin

Abomey
The city of Abomey is the historic capital of the kingdom of Dahomey, located on the central plateau 145 km from Cotonou. It was founded in the 17th century by King Houégbadja (1645-1685).

The city of Abomey contains great historical and artisanal riches. One finds there among other things, on nearly 45 hectares, the old Palaces of the kings of Abomey who reigned from 1620 to 1900. In Abomey, one can also appreciate the art of the fabric.

You have to go to the center of artisans and paintings of Abomey to appreciate the art of fabric, on which we invite you to discover the history of the twelve kings of Abomey.

The town joined the international association of French-speaking mayors in 2004.

Allada
Allada is a historic and religious town that has many Voodoo temples and shrines. Cradle of the Fon ethnic group from Adja , Allada continues the tradition shared by the kingdoms of Dabomey and Porto-Novo , originally from the same clan.

It is also the capital of voodoo. You can visit the colonial buildings, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Adjahouto (the founder) of Togoudo , sacred trees, voodoo temples, woodcarvers and the statue of Toussaint Louverture.

Bohicon
Bohicon is a recent town. Its development dates from the beginning of the twentieth century. The development of commercial activities around the train station and the central market of Bohicon favored the birth of the city.

First district of Allahé attached to the former sub-prefecture of Abomey , it was baptized sub-prefecture of Bohicon in 1973 , then urban district of Bohicon with the administrative reform of 1974 . It became a commune of Bohicon with the advent of decentralization in Benin in 2003.

The very first mayor elected at the head of this municipality, following the municipal elections of 2003, is the late Paulin Tomanaga . The municipality of Bohicon has been governed since 2008 by a municipal council of 25 members headed by the mayor Luc Sètondji Atropko . Initially the first deputy to the very first mayor, the latter came to head the municipality following the election of Paulin Tomanaga as deputy in the Beninese legislative elections of 2007.

Cotonou
Cotonou is the economic capital and the largest city of Benin . The city is home to a lot of government and diplomatic services.

Cotonou is known throughout the Africa of the West for its international market of 20 hectares ( Dantokpa ), it is the largest market in the Africa of the West , its Zémidjans (motorcycle taxis) and a market secondary MISSEBO located a few meters from the market ( Dantokpa ).

The name Kùtɔ́nû means “mouth of the river of death” in fon-gbe.

Dasa Zoume
Located 209 km from Cotonou , Dassa – Zoumè is well known for sheltering the ” cave of Our Lady of Arigbo ” where the Virgin is said to have made an apparition.

The city with its 41 hills has a rich history which one can discover by visiting the sacred places and palaces while visiting the king.

Each year in mid-August, the “ Notre-Dame d’Arigbo cave ” brings together tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over Benin and neighboring countries; the hills also offer endless possibilities for excursions, bike rides and even mountaineering.

Kandi
Kandi is a city located in the north of Benin , capital of the municipality of the same name and prefecture of the Alibori department.

If Kandi does not offer any particular tourist attractions, the city is a central point for discovering the north of the country and accessing the W national park.

With more than 10,000 km² of savannah shared between Benin , Burkina Faso and Niger , Parc W is home to four of the ” Big Five “, including the elephant , lion , leopard and buffalo .

The Park takes its name from the meanders of the majestic Niger River which borders it on the Nigerien side.