Ganvié (Lake Nokoué)

Near Cotonou on Lake Nokoué, Benin

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Ganvié, located on Lake Nokoué near Cotonou, is a remarkable lakeside community often called the “Venice of Africa.”

Built entirely on stilts above the water, it was founded by the Tofinu people in the 16th or 17th century as a refuge from slave raiders. Today, it is considered the largest lake village in Africa and is home to thousands of residents. Life in Ganvié revolves around the lake, with residents traveling by wooden boats, fishing, trading in floating markets, and living in houses, schools, and shops built above the water.

The village is a unique example of human adaptation and cultural resilience, making it one of Benin’s most famous tourist attractions and a site on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List.