Ouidah is recognized as a former center for the sale and embarkation of enslaved people. This place has now become the preferred historic city for visitors. The city has formally managed to preserve unforgettable traces of the slave trade while maintaining its voodoo worship traditions. Thus, Ouidah remains an attractive destination offering a multitude of sites and activities for lovers of African Black culture.

In the past, the city of Ouidah, known as the "Portuguese Fort", experienced a truly painful history. Indeed, the city was founded in 1721 as a fort. It was led by a Portuguese dignitary, the yavoghan (white chief) João Baptista de Ajudá. It's hard to believe that in that distant era, the municipality of Ouidah served as one of the suppliers of enslaved people to Western countries throughout the world. However, the duty of conducting and guaranteeing the slave market in this place was entrusted to João Baptista by order of the King of Portugal. Consequently, the white chief managed all commercial relations between the Kingdom of Abomey and European slave traders. After years of slave trafficking, millions of Black Africans were exiled through the slave trade. An act carried out between the kings of Abomey and Western entities: the Americas, Portugal, Denmark, France, etc. Strategically, the fort was heavily isolated from the Kingdom of Abomey (present-day Benin) for the sole purpose of guaranteeing the King of Portugal's monopoly. A few years later, under the authority of King Agadja (5th king of Abomey), the slave trade became an imposed duty of the King of Portugal. The city of Ouidah was thus created in agony that lasted at least a century. Some populations remain in discord with other ethnic groups in the country, solely because of the conspiracy organized by the kings of Abomey.

Known as the former Portuguese fort, the city of Ouidah is gaining popularity today thanks to the vestiges left by slave traders. All Western forts (Danish, French, Portuguese) and the slave enclosure of the English trading post are still present today. Although Ouidah is haunted by an atrocious past, this history qualifies it among the richest Beninese cities in terms of historical narratives. These unfortunate stories have greatly awakened the curiosity of tourists from around the world. As a result, many tourists visit each year to discover the traces left by slave traders. Beyond the city's melancholic history, Ouidah is also recognized for its magnificent historical monuments such as: the Python Temple, the Fondation Zinsou contemporary art museum, the sacred forest of Kpassè, and the Slave Route.

For lovers of African Black culture, Ouidah is an ideal destination choice. Immerse yourself in the heart of voodoo religion by taking a small getaway to the Python Temple. Indeed, it is a sacred place for voodoo followers and is considered the flagship monument of the city. According to legend, there was a king who preferred to live at Glexué (house of the fields). This king benefited from the presence of a python, which consequently preserved his plantation by eating the rodents found in the surrounding area. Since then, the python has become the symbol and at the same time the protective animal of the city. This is why residents dedicate a cult to it every five days by appealing to its divinity.

After visiting the Python Temple, head straight to the Fondation Zinsou contemporary art museum. The place to discover the city's sociocultural works. Indeed, this contemporary art gallery is particularly dedicated to African Black culture. Its actions focus on the artistic, cultural and social works of the Black race. On the site, you will discover a concentration of works by African artists such as: Cyprien Tokoudagba, George Lilanga, Frédéric Bruly-Bouabré, Samuel Fosso, etc.

Beyond this contemporary art museum, there is also the sacred forest of Kpassè, one of Benin's best-preserved heritage sites. According to voodoo practitioners, this place holds many mysteries and legend about King Kpassè. The story says that he was reincarnated as an enchanted tree shortly after his death. Since then, the landscape has attracted countless curious visitors.

If you are passionate about architecture and Roman Catholic religion, be sure to visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Certainly, it is the first Catholic sanctuary in Ouidah. It was built in 1903 at the initiative of French Monsignor Louis Dartois. End your journey by walking the Slave Route, which retraces the path of enslaved people before boarding until the Gate of No Return.

From a general point of view, the climate of the city of Ouidah is typically tropical. Most of the time, the city's temperatures are pleasant. Average temperatures range from 28°C in July to 32°C in February. As for sea temperatures, they are rather pleasant, varying between 24°C - 29°C. The best conditions for traveling there are in the first three months (January, February, March) or in the last two months (November, December).

To get to the city of Ouidah, the ideal way is to take a bush taxi, a means of transport widely used by locals. But for travelers coming from outside Africa (Western countries), the best option is to fly to Cotonou. From Cotonou, they can comfortably take a bush taxi leading directly to the city.

The city of Ouidah is indeed a small city compared to other major Beninese cities. As a result, getting around doesn't pose too many problems in the city. To visit the tourist sites, you can opt for a taxi, a bus or a motorcycle (Zém in local language). Or you can rent a car to make yourself even more comfortable—the choice is yours.

• Visit the Python Temple, a sanctuary dedicated to voodoo religion
• Explore the sociocultural museum of contemporary art Fondation Zinsou
• Take an excursion to the sacred forest of Kpassè
• Get a glimpse of the monument "the Gate of No Return"
• Discover the magnificent architecture of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception