Institut Français

Statue to honor the Agodjié (Amazone) women warriors of Abomey, Kingdom of Dahomey, as popularized in the movie The Woman King.

A bizarre Cold War anachronism, this traffic circle features a larger-than-life statue - seemingly rising out of nowhere - of Bulgaria's first Communist leader, Georgi Dimitrov. There used to also be a statue of Lenin in the city, but it was torn down when Benin ceased its efforts to become a communist nation.

A big North Korean-built monument to those who died fighting against colonialism. Hosts artists, a food truck, and occasional public concerts.

Run by one of Benin's first families (current head Lionel was defeated in a presidential election in 2016), the Fondation Zinsou is devoted to showing contemporary art in Benin and providing supporting arts education for children. Their main Cotonou gallery hosts rotating exhibitions and is probably the best place to snag a peek of contemporary Beninese art, though the Fondation also exhibits internationally-renowned artists to provide the Beninese public the chance to see these works in person. An institution worthy of any city, but acutely needed in Cotonou.

Another beach with the well-known namesake and even a sign of him if you want a photo op. This beach is a little dirtier than the other, and also subject to strong surf and security considerations.

The largest mosque, and possibly all of Benin, it's a center of it all for Cotonou's Muslim communities. Zongo is a Hausa word meaning "foreigner", which gives an idea of the pan-Africanness you'll find in the neighborhood.