The Centre Culturel Franco-Nigérien on Boulevard de la République is one of the more reliably active cultural venues in the Sahel. Funded by the French government and Nigerien partners, it runs a consistent programme of film screenings (often Francophone African cinema), live music, theatre, and occasional exhibitions. Check what is on — the programme changes weekly and the quality varies, but when something is running it is usually worth attending.
The centre has an open courtyard bar that is welcoming and does not require a ticket to a show to use. It serves cold beer and simple food and is a good meeting point for travellers and local professionals who might otherwise be at the Corniche. The outdoor screening nights — films projected in the courtyard — are particularly pleasant in the dry season.