Explore Grand Popo

Frequently Asked Questions

• History of the town of Grand-Popo

  Located near the Togolese border, Grand-Popo is a commune belonging to the Mono department. When we talk about Grand-Popo, we viscerally tend to also talk about the department to which it belongs. Indeed, Mono is generally populated by inhabitants of different ethnic groups: Adja, Fon, Xwla, mina, Sahouè, kotafon, ayizo, etc.
  However, the origin of the word "Grand-Popo" puzzles even the natives of this magnificent islet. The less utopian hypothesis is that the word Popo was once a term used by the first navigators to the astonishment of the natives [KPO-KPO] which means "look-look". A word that caught the attention of explorers and at the same time allowed them to distinguish the country on the map. Also called the fishing village, Grand-Popo was once a Portuguese trading post for the slave trade. Naturally placed between the sea of ​​the Gulf of Guinea and the Mono River, the town was considered at the time as a secure bay for slave trade. Nevertheless, it remained in the image of a quiet and prosperous small town. Grand-Popo was nevertheless successful in its development during the colonial era thanks to the efforts of the administrator Dreyfus from 1901.

• The city of Grand-Popo today

  Currently, thanks to its magnificent fine sandy beach, the town of Grand-Popo has become a favorite destination on the tourist calendar. It is also an important place of relaxation for the inhabitants of large cities such as Lomé and Cotonou. Indeed, the city is planted with coconut trees and palm trees which make it imperatively exotic. You can also find in the city, vegetation of marine species such as: grasses, mangroves, rushes, etc. Regarding animal species, the small town is full of rodents, snakes characteristic of wetlands and birds. Without forgetting that it is best known for its fish species of marine origin, including sea turtles. Apart from the natural aspects of the city, there are also some pleasant places to visit such as: the Avlo peninsula, the voodoo temples on the banks of Mono, the Karo villa and the Bouche du Roy river.
  
  In the Grand-Popo region, you will find the Avlo peninsula located about 5 km between the Gulf of the Atlantic and the Mono River. The landscape leaves you speechless thanks to its breathtaking setting of coconut trees planted on the edge of the beach. On the spot, a wooden footbridge was built to a nearby island, so that the occupants of the island can go to draw fresh water. During your little getaway, you can also enjoy a cast net fishing trip or scavenge crustaceans with blue claws.
  
  After an escape to Avlo, immediately head for the Bouche du Roy . It is a long, almost endless river confluent with the Atlantic Ocean. A fairly calm river corner, the Bouche du Roy is an ideal place for a swim. While you are there, it would also be an opportunity to take a short tour of Gbêkon and discover the activities of the natives.
  
  Apart from the beautiful surrounding places, visitors often tend to visit voodoo temples. Indeed, Grand-Popo is an agglomeration follower of the voodoo religion. On the long bank of the Mono River, you can see many religious buildings. Locals celebrate a voodoo festival every January 10 every year. On the site, the shell of a turtle and the hair have become fetish objects.
  
  To round off your stay in Grand-Popo, discover the Karo villa. It is an institution specializing in Finno-African culture. The house opened its doors to the general public in 2000 and continues to offer free cultural services to the citizens of the city. It also acts towards fishing communities and helps schools.

• Climate

  The climate of the city of Grand-Popo is considered subequatorial with four seasons. We can characterize a strong dry season (mid-November to mid-March) and a weak dry season (mid-July to mid-September). However, there is also the strong rainy season (mid-March to mid-July) then the weak rainy season (mid-September to mid-November). The best times to travel there are between July and August, or between November and January.

• How to get there ?

  As an island, the town of Grand-Popo frequently uses buses and taxis as means of transport. However, it is possible to travel by canoe with or without motor to cross the Mono River. On the other hand, the city can provide travelers wishing to venture out with peace of mind with personal vehicles at a reasonable price. If you are thinking of sightseeing in Grand-Popo , then you have come to the right place.