Festival Vodoun Days 2027

Head to Ganvié, a traditional village built on the Nokoué Lake and nicknamed the "Venice of Africa". You'll discover its stilt houses, floating market, shops and the daily life of this fishing community.

The Toffins, or "men of the water", settled here in the 18th century to escape slavery and attacks from the Dahomey kingdom. According to legend, their king Agbogdobé transformed himself into a sparrowhawk to spot this place, then into a crocodile to guide his people there. The name "Ganvié" means "we are saved".

As you travel by water, observe the bamboo houses with thatched roofs and discover local traditions, including the harvesting of water hyacinths and akadja fishing.

After breakfast, departure for Ouidah, a historic city founded by the Houéda people, whose python scarification is a cultural symbol linked to voodoo.

Once one of the main centers of the slave trade to Brazil, Ouidah preserves the memory of this history along the Slave Route, which connects the city to the sea. In the historic center, you discover colonial houses with English, French and Portuguese influences.

Your stay is also punctuated by traditional ceremonies, dances, demonstrations of strength, sacred rituals and libations.

After the official celebrations of the Vodoun festival, you take the road to the Agonli plateau. Along the way, a stop at the kingdom of Allada, presented as the birthplace of Toussaint Louverture, then a passage through Bohicon before reaching Covè.

You discover the Guélédé, a traditional masked dance originating from Nigeria and inscribed on the intangible heritage list. For this celebration, women prepare and dress the men, who then perform choreography in public, costumed and masked.

You join Dassa-Zoumé, nicknamed the "city of 41 hills". The day begins with a visit to the Arigbo Marian center, a place of prayer and contemplation.

You then set off on a hike in the Dassa hills, along the ritual path of the Omondjagou, the majority ethnic group of the former kingdom of Dassa-Zoumé. From the heights, you observe fetishes and representations of voodoo worship.

The day ends with the Atingalé sacred dance, a tradition reserved for the initiated.

Early departure to Djougou, an ancient stop on the salt and kola nut trade route. This crossroads town brings together notably the Yom, Dendi, Peulh, Pila-Pila, Gourmantché, Somba and Baatonou peoples. Upon your arrival, you may have the opportunity to meet the village king, heir to an ancient kingdom in northern Bénin.

In the afternoon, you head to Tanéka-Béri, a region inhabited by animist hunters who live mainly from millet farming. In the Yaka camp, you discover their traditions and initiation rites, including male circumcision. Exchanges with the sorcerers, guardians of tradition, allow you to explore the place of ancestor worship in their culture.

You take the road to Natitingou, gateway to the Somba country. Upon arrival, you visit the popular museum to discover local history and traditions, then explore the city market.

At the end of the day, you can cool off in the natural pool formed by the Kota Falls.

You discover the Tata Somba, fortified buildings emblematic of the land of the Bétamarribés. Their architecture, present in Togo as well as in Bénin, testifies to the heritage of the Bétiabé and the Bétammarribé.

In the surrounding villages, you meet the Peuls, the Tagaye and the inhabitants of Boukoumbé. The day ends with a hike in the eco-village of Koussoukoingou, discovering local life and the landscapes of the region.

On your journey south, you make a stop in Savalou, nicknamed "Savalou the Beautiful". You visit the royal palace and discover the historical remains of the city.

Every year, on August 15th, Savalou celebrates the harvest of new yam. This festival brings the mahi community together for a moment of reunion and fraternity.

You then continue to Dassa, where you spend the night.

From the Collines department, you reach Abomey, the former capital of Dahomey. You discover the royal palaces, founded in the 16th century, and their museum, which houses royal objects, ornaments and treasures of the kingdom.

Abandoned after the defeat of King Béhanzin to French colonizers, the palaces were restored by UNESCO and now host historical museums.

You then visit Goho Square, before meeting the Hountondji craftsmen, specialists in the manufacture of gold and copper objects.

You enter one of the most secret temples of Bénin to meet the followers of voodoo Heviosso. Accompanied by the temple chief, you witness traditional dances, demonstrations and sacred rituals.

Night at Possotomé, at Theo, a simple and welcoming inn located by the water.

You join Porto Novo, capital of Bénin and chief town of the Ouémé department. You discover its historic buildings and places of worship dedicated to the orishas of the Yoruba religion. The old districts and royal palace are listed on the UNESCO indicative list.

You then visit the ethnographic museum, housed in a former colonial building, where Guélédé masks, musical instruments and traditional weapons are displayed. The discovery continues at the Great Mosque of Porto-Novo, whose architecture is reminiscent of Christian churches in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.

For this final stage, you will join Cotonou, the economic capital of Bénin, with a stop in Allada, an ancient kingdom steeped in history.

Depending on available time, you may visit the Missebo market, discover the Zinsou Foundation, take a stroll on Fidjrossè beach or explore the craft center.

In the evening, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Europe.