Creation of the Museum of the Epic of the Amazons and Kings of Dahomey in Abomey

Promoting Benin’s historical and cultural heritage in the city of Abomey.

Developing the palatial site in Abomey

This project is as ambitious as it is symbolic and is part of the French Government’s efforts to return cultural goods to Benin.

Building on attractive facilities combining high conservation standards and modern comfort for visits, the project will contribute to enhancing the rooms and works of the palatial site of Abomey, strengthening the cultural programming and diversifying the collections exhibited. To address the issues covered in the Government of Benin’s action plan, it will also aim to attract a broader public via the scientific and cultural project of the future institution responsible for the site/museum in Abomey.

Finally, to develop the historical site of Abomey (palatial site and new museum), the project will provide support during the first years for the definition of the governance and management model of the future institution responsible for the entire museum/site in Abomey and ensure its effective implementation. A technical assistance and capacity building plan for Benin will be implemented at the same time to strengthen the protection, conservation and development of this heritage.

Two areas of operation: construction/restoration and capacity building

The project to develop the cultural and historical heritage of Abomey has two components.

1) The first area aims to build a modern Museum of the Epic of the Amazons and Kings of Dahomey (MEARD) and make it a new source of cultural and tourist attractiveness. It will also restore the surrounding palatial site which comprises the former ceremonial palaces of Kings Behanzin, Glèlè, Guézo and Agoli-Agbo, as well as the site of the former Institut Français d’Afrique Noire (IFAN).

2) The second area of operation concerns governance and capacity building. The project will provide support to Abomey’s cultural and craft ecosystem and implement technical assistance and training activities for actors in national and Abomeyan heritage. Special attention will be paid to assisting with the definition of the governance and management model of the new museum/site in Abomey.

Expertise France’s technical assistance

Expertise France has proven experience in the provision of technical assistance services in the main areas of public action. The aim is to provide the National Agency for the Promotion of Heritage and Tourism Development (ANPT) with multidisciplinary expertise to ensure there is an optimal monitoring and management of the contracting procedures and an effective supervision of the operators mobilised, and implement capacity building activities.

A mission to provide assistance to the contracting authority and technical assistance will be organised to support the effective implementation of the project’s activities and its management by the ANPT. Expertise France’s teams will have an advisory role and will facilitate the project coordination, in conjunction with the partner.

Experts will be mobilised to conduct the assistance, supervision and capacity building activities validated by the ANPT.

Find out more about the first phase of the project: Feasibility study for the preservation and development of the heritage site of Abomey