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- Place Chacha square: the old auction ground itself, where captives were sold before the march to the coast. The open space and surrounding trees make a quiet place to read the history before moving on.
- Start of the Route des Esclaves: the long road to the beach begins here, marked by monuments and statues. Walking it in the morning light is the best way to follow the captives’ path.
- Chacha family house area: the neighborhood holds the story of Francisco Félix de Sousa, who grew rich in the trade and later became a powerful local figure. Look for the older Afro-Brazilian buildings.
- Ouidah Museum of History: housed in the old Portuguese fort a short walk away, it covers the slave trade, Vodun and the Dahomey kingdom. A modest entry fee of about €1 to 2 applies.
- Python Temple: a Vodun shrine where
- Place Chacha square: the old auction ground itself, where captives were sold before the march to the coast. The open space and surrounding trees make a quiet place to read the history before moving on.
- Start of the Route des Esclaves: the long road to the beach begins here, marked by monuments and statues. Walking it in the morning light is the best way to follow the captives’ path.
- Chacha family house area: the neighborhood holds the story of Francisco Félix de Sousa, who grew rich in the trade and later became a powerful local figure. Look for the older Afro-Brazilian buildings.
- Ouidah Museum of History: housed in the old Portuguese fort a short walk away, it covers the slave trade, Vodun and the Dahomey kingdom. A modest entry fee of about €1 to 2 applies.
- Python Temple: a Vodun shrine where sacred pythons are kept, drawing curious visitors and worshippers alike. Allow around 30 minutes.
- Basilica of the Immaculate Conception: a red and white church facing the old temple, a neat symbol of how Catholicism and Vodun share the same streets.
- Door of No Return: the monument at the end of the route on the Atlantic shore, reached on foot or by a short ride. The surf sound makes it hit hard.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.