The Place de la Nation is the city's largest public square, anchored by the museum on one side and lined on the others by trees, low colonnaded buildings, and a few open-air cafés. It is a comfortable place to slow down for half an hour after the bustle of the markets — shaded benches, a slow flow of motorbikes around the perimeter, and the calls of barbets in the trees.
The square hosts official events, occasional concerts, and weekend wandering crowds. It is also a good orientation point: most of Bobo's central sights are within ten minutes' walk in any direction.