Lomé: History, Green Spaces and Local Cuisine

Lomé can be experienced through a variety of impressions: the Monument de l’Indépendance, a reminder of the country’s history; the Musée national, with its historical and ethnographic collections; and local dishes. Greenery can be found in the park of the Palais de Lomé. The city brings together different themes that you can weigh up as you plan your trip.

History Between Independence and the Colonial Past

The Monument de l’Indépendance commemorates Togo’s independence on 27 April 1960. It followed 75 years of colonial rule, initially mainly under Germany and then under France. The monument stands on a two-hectare green esplanade. Here, the memory of independence meets a specifically named green space.

The Palais de Lomé was built at the end of the 19th century and served successively as a governor’s palace, a residence for high-ranking guests and, briefly, as the seat of government. Its park is home to large, centuries-old tropical trees and a diverse range of biodiversity. The Palais’s former uses offer a different historical perspective from the Independence Monument, while the park adds a landscape element.

The Musée national, a historical and ethnographic museum, is located in the Palais des Congrès in Lomé. Since opening in 1974, it has displayed historical remains and ethnographic objects from the peoples of Togo. Documents and photographs cover Togo’s first contacts with Europe, the colonial period, the struggle for independence and the heads of state of independent Togo. The collection also includes some documents on the slave trade along the Côte des Esclaves and in Togo.

Local Specialties and Different Travel Interests

Cuisine is another tangible part of Lomé. Local specialties served in the city include Djinkoumè, made from maize, and Foufou, made from yams or cassava. Their main ingredients differ considerably, giving you two distinct starting points if you are interested in local dishes.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can use your main interest as a starting point: if the monument, the Musée national and local cuisine are your priorities, focus your search on Lomé. If you would like to include other historical and landscape-related themes, the wider destination of Maritime offers a broader perspective on the region.

In the Wider Destination of Maritime

The coast of Lomé was a setting for the triangular trade and colonial trade relations. Aného is also part of the historical picture of the wider destination of Maritime: the old town lies near the border with Benin, about 50 kilometres east of Lomé, and has been involved in transatlantic trade since the 15th century. Aného has many colonial buildings, including German ones. The old buildings bear witness to early contacts with European sailors and merchants, as well as to the colonial period.

Another architectural landmark in the wider destination of Maritime is the Maison Wood in Agbodrafo, also known as the Maison des Esclaves. The building, in the Afro-Brazilian style, has striking arched doors and windows. It was built shortly after 1835 and was inhabited by John Wood, a Scottish merchant. The house is about 21 metres long and around 10 metres wide; it has six rooms, a salon and a 1.50-metre-deep basement that extends around the entire perimeter of the building.

Visitors can relax on the shores of Lake Togo. Activities there include windsurfing, jet skiing, pedal boating or crossing by pirogue in the direction of Togoville. Before making specific plans, check which activities are available during your dates. This means Maritime offers historical sites and water activities as distinct travel interests alongside Lomé’s cultural and culinary themes.

View the wider travel guide: Golfe.