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 kingdom of Dahomey. According to legend, their king Agbogdobé transformed himself into a hawk to spot this place, then into a crocodile to guide his people there. The name "Ganvié" means "we are saved".

Along the 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 ceremonies of the voodoo 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 passage through Bohicon before joining Covè.

You discover the Guélédé, a traditional masked dance originating from Nigeria and inscribed in intangible heritage. 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 centre, 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. On the heights, you observe fetishes and representations of voodoo worship.

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

Early departure to Djougou, an ancient stop on the salt and kola nut trading route. This crossroads city brings together notably the peoples Yom, Dendi, Peulh, Pila-Pila, Gourmantché, Somba and Baatonou. 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 travel to Tanéka-Béri, a region inhabited by animist hunters who live mainly from millet cultivation. In the Yaka camp, you discover their traditions and initiation rites, notably male circumcision. Exchanges with the sorcerers, guardians of tradition, allow you to explore the place of the cult of the dead 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 refresh yourself 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 the local life and landscapes of the region.

On the southern route, you stop in Savalou, nicknamed "Savalou the Beautiful". You visit the royal palace and discover the historical remnants of the city.

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

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 by French colonists, the palaces were restored by UNESCO and today host historical museums.

You then visit Goho Square, then meet 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 devotees of vodoun Heviosso. Accompanied by the temple chief, you witness traditional dances, demonstrations and sacred rituals.

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

You join Porto Novo, capital of Bénin and capital of the Ouémé department. You discover its historic buildings and places of worship dedicated to the orishas of the Yoruba religion. The old quarters and royal palace are 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 Grand Mosque of Porto-Novo, whose architecture recalls that of Christian churches in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.

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

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

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