population: 0.28 million

extension: 127.5 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Parakou and want to visit museums, I suggest the Musée en Plein Air de Parakou. It is an open-air museum that exhibits traditional architecture, crafts, and sculpture from the local region of Borgou. If you are interested in similar museums nearby, you could visit the Royal Palaces of Abomey, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 2 hours away from Parakou.

Food

Some of the most recommended, popular and typical dishes to eat according to local people in Parakou, Benin are:

1. Pâte: a starchy dough made from cornmeal or cassava flour, which is typically eaten with a soup or stew.

2. Tchigan: a spicy sauce made from tomatoes, peppers, onions, and smoked fish or meat.

3. Djenkoume: a steamed cornmeal couscous dish that is often served with a tomato-based sauce or vegetables.

4. Gari Foto: a dish made from cassava flour, mixed with hot water to form a starchy paste, and then eaten with a sauce or soup.

5. Sokou: a dish made from yams, groundnuts, and palm oil, which is often served with fish or meat.

6. Akassa: a fermented corn or millet pancake that is usually served with a spicy sauce or soup.

These dishes are widely available in Parakou and are considered staples of the local cuisine.

Activities

Some fun activities that local people in Parakou enjoy include visiting the bustling central market, attending traditional festivals and ceremonies such as the Dendi masks festival or the Fête de la Gourmandise, exploring the nearby Pendjari National Park to see wildlife and waterfalls, and trying local cuisine such as fufu and sauce or grilled tilapia fish.