Chocolaterie Robert (472 boulevard Ratsimandrava Soanierana, Antananarivo 101) — as the home of the first commercially-produced chocolate in the country, Chocolaterie Robert has nurtured its world-class confectionery by maintaining a standard of excellence. It has assorted chocolates, pastries, and chocolate-based treats made with locally sourced cocoa.
TAXIS – for foreigners who don’t have the patience to deal with the local “taxi brousse” buses, the capital’s cream-color taxis (usually old school Renault 4 vehicles) are plentiful and cheap, even at night. Fares are negotiable: a journey in town should cost Ar 4000 to Ar 8000 during the day, or Ar 5000 to […]
Bus Travel Outside the capital (Antananarivo): for those wanting to travel from the capital to other towns, things are improving with a relatively new bus service called “Cotisse Transport”. This is a local-transport company that leaves on time, so if you’re 5 minutes late, they will have left already. They even offer Wi-Fi onboard […]
BUSES — The usual way to get around Madagascar (and within the capital) is by “taxi-brousse”, which are usually old Mercedes minibuses that can never be too crowded, stops every time someone wants to get on or off, and only depart when full. So there are no scheduled departures and arrival times can vary […]
Tombeau de Premier Ministre Rainiharo (Av. Victoire Rassamanarivo, Antananarivo) – built between 1846 and 1854 by French industrialist Jean Laborde, this mausoleum was dedicated to the country’s former Prime Minister (and Field Mashall) Rainiharo, who served Queen Ranavalona I. Rainiharo passed away in 1852 and was buried here with full honors. This mausoleum would […]
Rova of Antananarivo (45 Rue du Docteur Villette, Isoraka 101) — sitting on the mountain Analamanga (1,480 meters above sea level), the Rova of Antananarivo (or Rova Manjakamiadana in the Malagasy language) offers a stunning 360-degree view of the capital Antananarivo (or “Tana” for short) and its 12 cherished hills. In the company of […]
Queen’s Palace (101 Lalana Ramboatiana, Antananarivo) — the Rova of Antananarivo is a royal palace complex in Madagascar that served as the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as of the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar in the 19th century (such as Queen […]
Pirates Museum (103 Rue de Liège, 4th Floor, Tsaralalàna, Antananarivo 101) — located 200 meters from the central railway station, the Pirates Museum tells elaborate stories of old Madagascar. 300 years ago, pirates discovered the uncolonized island which became their secret hideout land. Explore the enchanting artifacts which depict the history of Madagascar. Free admission. […]
Musée de la Photographie de Madagascar (Rue Andriamanalina Ravelomanantsoa, Derrière l’Etat major, Antananarivo 101) — Just a short walk down from the former Queen’s Palace of Manjakamiadana, the first museum of photography is a real innovation for the capital city of Madagascar. The gallery represents various photography collection showing the history of Madagascar through […]
Musée de l’Art et de Archéologie (17 Rue du Docteur Vilette, Isoraka, Antananarivo 101) – located in the capital’s Isoraka district, this is a fascinating attraction established in 1970 and curated by the University of Antananarivo. It houses the ethnographic and archaeological artifacts unearthed at the island’s many excavation sites. The collection totals some 7,000 […]