The central public square of Porto-Novo, Place Jean Bayol is the hub of outdoor life in the old city. The square is anchored by a statue of the first king of Porto-Novo and surrounded by administrative buildings and colonial-era facades. It is the obvious starting point for exploring the historic centre on foot.
In the evenings and on weekends the square fills with vendors, families, and the usual buzz of a West African city centre. The Governor's Palace — now home to Benin's parliament — is just nearby, its white exterior a remnant of the French colonial administration.