The Institut Français du Togo is the largest and busiest cultural centre in Lomé, occupying a leafy compound a short walk inland from Boulevard du Mono. It runs a year-round programme of cinema (French films and African festival selections in the original languages with subtitles), live music, theatre, exhibitions and book launches, and is the venue for the annual Filbleu African film festival in March.
The garden cafe is the best place in the city to read a French newspaper or meet someone for a quiet drink — shaded by mango trees, free wifi, decent coffee. The bookshop carries a serious selection of African literature and contemporary politics. Most events are free or cost a few hundred francs CFA. The full calendar is on the institut's website.