Discover Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou can be discovered through a wide range of themes: memorial sites, a national ethnographic museum, crafts, biennial cultural events and Parc Bangr-Weoogo give the city a varied profile. When choosing a holiday rental, it is helpful to start by asking which of these facets you would most like to shape your stay. This lets you tailor your search to your travel group’s interests rather than reducing the city to a single theme.

Memorial sites with different focuses

The Mémorial Thomas Sankara features a statue of Thomas Sankara, unveiled in 2019. The Mémorial aux Héros Nationaux offers a different perspective: it was conceived in 2008 to commemorate Burkinabè people who distinguished themselves in service to the country. The two memorial sites thus represent different perspectives—commemorating a named individual and honouring people who served the country. Those interested in history and remembrance can find a concrete way into the city through these themes.

National Museum: architecture and collections

The Musée National du Burkina Faso is located in eastern Ouagadougou on a 29.94-hectare site. The ethnographic museum has facilities designed in the Sudanese-Sahelian style, including exhibition halls and an open-air theatre. Its collections also bring together different perspectives: archaeological holdings include stone artefacts, ceramics and metalwork; ethnographic objects include masks, clothing and musical instruments, among other things. The range of themes therefore extends from archaeological materials to objects classified ethnographically. When planning a visit for a family with varied interests, you can consider whether the architecture, archaeological objects or ethnographic collections are of particular interest.

Crafts, training and biennials

Bronze working originated in the Niongsin neighbourhood. Initially, three large families there specialised in processing copper and bronze using the lost-wax casting method. The place of origin and the technique offer two distinct points of reference for the craft: Niongsin is part of the history of this work, while lost-wax casting is the specific craft technique. The Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou offers young people training programmes in craft skills.

Two biennial events also form part of the city’s cultural profile. Ouagadougou hosts the Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ouagadougou, or FESPACO, and the Salon International de l’Artisanat de Ouagadougou, or SIAO. Film and television, and handicrafts, represent different areas of focus. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the events, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Nature and a stay in Ouagadougou

Parc Bangr-Weoogo serves to protect the park’s biodiversity and natural heritage. Visitor activities include leisure, relaxation and environmental education.

If you are travelling with children, you can compare everyone’s interests and decide together which of these themes appeal to them most. Then look for a holiday rental in Ouagadougou that suits your planned stay.

For the broader travel overview: Kadiogo.