Basilique Sainte-Anne

Brazzaville


This modernist 1949 building was the crowning achievement of French architect Roger Erell, who was known for fusing Western architectural ideas with local building techniques. It's easily one of the city's most striking buildings, with its dazzling green roof and carved copper doors – try to come by around 5pm for mass, when the nave is a sea of beautifully dressed locals.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Brazzaville attractions

1. Marché Poto-Poto

0.3 MILES

This sprawling and chaotic market in the heart of one of Brazza's busiest residential neighbourhoods is a good place to wander and see locals food…

3. Brazza Memorial

0.78 MILES

The body of Italian-French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, who founded the settlement that became Brazzaville, was returned to Congo in 2006 and is…

4. Hôtel de Ville

0.84 MILES

Brazzaville's modernist city hall has an enviable location just by the Congo River, and anyone who has spent time in France will notice the unmistakable…

5. La Corniche

0.91 MILES

This wonderful modernised embankment is a great place for a stroll, and affords fantastic views over the Congo River to Kinshasa, looming in the distance…

6. Marché Touristique

1.39 MILES

Sift through all the tat at Brazzaville's tourist market and you'll find some decent weavings and woodcarvings.

7. Palais du Peuple

1.66 MILES

Heavily guarded and best not approached or photographed, this is the residence of Congo's long-term president, Denis Sassou N'Guesso.

8. Palais de la Nation

2.37 MILES

Built in 1956 as the official residence of the Belgian governor general in Kinshasa, the Palais de la Nation was where Congo's first president, Patrick…