The Bouche du Roy is the place where the Grand Popo lagoon to the west and the Ouidah lagoon to the east flow into the ocean, as well as Lake Haémé through its overflow channel. The Grand Popo lagoon is fed by the Mono River to the west, which serves as the border between Togo and Benin north of Grand Popo. The expression Bouche du Roy is a bad translation in French of the Portuguese name of the place "La boca del Rio" (the mouth of the river). This place is part of the Mono Delta Cross-Border Biosphere Reserve.
It marks the mouth of the Mono River where fresh and salt water meet and offers fantastic views of islands and mangroves. To get to this place whose name evokes a legendary story, you have to go to the tongue of land which is to the east of Grand Popo and which is bordered on one side by the lagoon and on the other, by the long beach and the ocean. A laterite track provides 7 km of access to the end point of the beach where fishermen with dragnets hoist their catches on the shore. We finally arrive where the track stops, on a place formerly built by an abandoned hotel, which we have to go around on foot. Then we reach the desired point by the sand dunes which border the Bouche du Roy.
The contrast is striking between the sea, which is relentless on the entrance to the lake with high and long waves and the interior side of the lake which appears perfectly calm, bordered by abundant vegetation. At sunset, the reflections on the lake are magnificent and it is a delight with the sound of the ocean in the background, like a beast roaring !!< br>Besides the spectacle of the encounter between fresh water and the sea, you can also visit the artisanal production of salt in Avlo. The manufacture of coconut oil and Toffée (confectionery) and the protection areas for sea turtles on the long beach are recommended activities .
