Route des Esclaves- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

The Route des Esclaves in Ouidah, Benin, is a historical trail that retraces the final steps of countless individuals forced into the transatlantic slave trade. Stretching 4 kilometers from the former slave market at Place Chacha to the Door of No Return on the Gulf of Guinea, this poignant journey is marked by seven key points of remembrance. Along the route, 23 striking statues by renowned Beninese artist Cyprien Tokoudagba narrate the region's complex history, including symbols of Dahomey kings and the brutal realities of slavery. Once a hub of trade between Africans and Europeans, Ouidah's legacy now stands as a testament to resilience and reflection.