Cotonou's Craft Market: Souvenirs and How to Get There (2026)

Cotonou's historic craft market has moved. After its old site on Boulevard Saint Michel was cleared out in 2022, the community of artisans regrouped along the railway tracks, facing the Bourse du Travail, toward Camp Ghezo. The place now goes by the name Marché des Arts, and a permanent site is under construction in Gbégamey, planned to hold around 226 kiosks.

In short: the Marché des Arts and crafts in Cotonou (2026)

• New address: the Marché des Arts site along the railway tracks (opposite the Bourse du Travail / Camp Ghezo, formerly the CPA).
• Main specialties: lost-wax bronzes from Abomey, wood carvings (teak, iroko, ebony), Guèlèdè/Vodun masks.
• Signature event: the National Craft Fair of Benin (SNAB).
• Payment & bargaining: cash in FCFA or Mobile Money, polite haggling is the norm.

This guide covers the current address, the craft specialties you'll find there, and the ground rules for bargaining with the artisans.

1. Where to find the Marché des Arts today

The forced move in 2022 scattered some of the artisans, but most regrouped at the new site, just a few dozen meters from their original spot. Around a hundred artisans and traders display their work there: sculptors, bronze casters, leatherworkers, and weavers who've come from Abomey, Porto-Novo, and Parakou.

Before heading over, it's worth checking the exact address with your hotel or a local driver — between the temporary railway-side site and the future Gbégamey location, things are still shifting. Some former CPA vendors have also relocated to the Hall des Arts, near the old site.

2. The main specialties of Beninese craftsmanship

Beninese crafts carry the artistic tradition of the Kingdom of Danxomé (Dahomey).

Pieces worth seeking out first:

• Carvings in fine wood (teak, iroko, ebony): artisans from Abomey work sculpted bas-reliefs echoing the symbols of the Dahomey kings, as well as royal-style single-block seats.
• Lost-wax bronzes: ancestor figurines, totemic animals, and récades (ceremonial staffs of authority) cast using a precise technique. A wax model is first shaped, then coated in a clay mold. Once the mold dries, the wax is melted out, leaving an exact cavity into which molten brass is poured. The mold is then broken to reveal the piece — which is why every bronze is unique; no two pieces made this way are ever exactly alike. This craft, historically tied to the artisan village at Abomey's historical museum, is still on display at several foundries in the Marché des Arts.
• Traditional Guèlèdè and Vodun masks: carved and painted ceremonial masks, sought after by collectors of African art.
• Appliqué wall hangings from Abomey: hand-sewn textiles depicting hunting scenes, historical episodes, or proverbs.
• Bronze, silver, and bead jewelry: necklaces and bracelets made using traditional casting and stringing techniques, often sold by family workshops at the market.
• Local leatherwork: hand-worked leather bags, belts, and sandals — a specialty less known to visitors but present at some kiosks.
• Basketry and pottery: woven baskets and terracotta household items that round out the site's decorative offerings.

3. The National Craft Fair, another event worth knowing about

Beyond the Marché des Arts, Cotonou periodically hosts the National Craft Fair of Benin (Salon National de l'Artisanat du Bénin, SNAB), an event bringing together Beninese artisans and craftspeople from other countries in the region to showcase their skills. The 19th edition ran from August 22 to 31, 2025, at the Cotonou Palais des Congrès, spread across two tents totaling 150 booths: 120 reserved for local artisans and 30 for institutions and foreign exhibitors. Morocco, represented by the Chamber of Trades of Rabat, was the guest of honor for this edition, alongside chambers of trades from several ECOWAS/UEMOA countries (Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea).

For visitors in town at the right time, the fair offers an extra chance to meet artisans and discover pieces that aren't always in shops year-round, with a wider selection than the Marché des Arts over the event's ten days. Dates shift every year, so it's best to check the current edition's calendar with your hotel before planning a visit around it.

To round out the trip, Ouidah, about 40 km from Cotonou, pairs well with a visit to the Marché des Arts. The town is home to several collectives of artists and craftspeople, including the Ateliers Ouidh'Art, a group of about twenty artists working in painting, textiles, sculpture, and decor, who also train young apprentices. Ouidah also hosts the Vodun Days festival, with a dedicated village blending crafts, food, and events centered on Vodun culture.

4. Tips for visiting and buying

Artisans often work right on site, at their kiosk or in the shade of an awning. Take the time to watch them carve or cast bronze before buying — it's also a good way to start a conversation about the piece's origin and meaning.

• Bargain politely: the first price quoted is never the final one. Negotiation happens in good humor, without pressure, and should land on a price that's still fair for the artisan's time and materials.
• Compare several kiosks: prices and finishing quality vary noticeably between vendors for the same type of piece.
• Payment: mostly cash in FCFA, with Mobile Money (MTN MoMo, Moov Money) accepted by some vendors.
• Best time to visit: mornings or early afternoon, when artisans are at work and less rushed by the end-of-day crowds.
• Ask about the piece's story: beyond the look of it, many objects carry a specific symbol — a totemic animal, a proverb, a reference to a Danxomé king. Artisans generally enjoy explaining it, which adds to the purchase and also helps the price conversation along.

FAQ

Has Cotonou's craft market moved?

Yes. The old site on Boulevard Saint Michel, near the Hall des Arts, was cleared in 2022. Artisans relocated along the railway tracks facing the Bourse du Travail, and a permanent site is being built in Gbégamey.

How do you take wood carvings or bronzes home on a plane?

Vendors are used to packing pieces for air travel, with bubble wrap and reinforced cardboard. Check the packaging is solid before you leave, especially for finely detailed pieces.

Do you need customs clearance to export art pieces?

For everyday contemporary crafts bought on site, the invoice given by the artisan is usually enough for customs. For antique or heritage-value objects, an export certificate issued by the Directorate of Cultural Heritage is required.

Can you negotiate prices at the Marché des Arts?

Yes, bargaining is standard practice. Starting prices build in room for discussion, but keep it reasonable — the goal is fair pay for genuine craftsmanship, not the lowest possible price.

Is the Gbégamey site already open?

The permanent site planned for Gbégamey, designed for around 226 kiosks with parking and restrooms, is still under construction. Until it's fully delivered, artisans work from the temporary site along the tracks, facing the Bourse du Travail.

What's the difference between the Marché des Arts and Dantokpa Market?

The Marché des Arts specializes in fine crafts — sculpture, bronze, masks, jewelry — with around a hundred vendors. Dantokpa Market, much larger at 18 hectares, is a general market where you'll mostly find fabric, food, and everyday goods, with a handful of craft stalls.

Are there other places to buy Beninese crafts in Cotonou?

Yes. The National Craft Fair, held periodically, brings together Beninese and regional artisans. Some neighborhood shops, especially around Le Plateau, also carry a selection of local crafts at fixed prices, with no bargaining.

Where can you see contemporary Beninese art alongside traditional crafts?

The Fondation Zinsou, founded in 2005, is the reference point for contemporary African art in Cotonou. Its LAB space, opened in 2021 in the Fidjrossè neighborhood, hosts temporary exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography, and installation art, featuring Beninese artists and others from across the continent. It's a good complement to the Marché des Arts for anyone interested in current creative work rather than just traditional crafts — admission is free.

How do you tell a genuine lost-wax bronze from a mass-molded piece?

An authentic lost-wax piece shows slight irregularities and has no exact twin, since the mold is destroyed after each casting. Mass-produced reproductions, smoother and perfectly symmetrical, are usually sold cheaper — ask the artisan to explain their technique before buying if authenticity matters to you.

Is it worth combining the visit with a trip to Ouidah?

It depends on how much time you have. Ouidah is about 40 km from Cotonou, a trip that usually takes under an hour depending on traffic. For visitors staying several days in the region, pairing the Marché des Arts in Cotonou with a visit to the Ateliers Ouidh'Art in Ouidah covers a wider range of Beninese craftsmanship, from urban sculpture to art tied to Vodun.