Palais de la Nation

Kinshasa


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 Lumumba, denounced colonialism during a speech following his election to the presidency following the country's independence in 1960. It is today the home to the DRC president's administration and is closed to the public.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kinshasa attractions

1. Laurent Kabila's Tomb

0.1 MILES

This tomb of former president Laurent Kabila (1939-2001) is worth seeing, although reaching it involves passing through several layers of security in the…

2. Palais du Peuple

1.5 MILES

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

3. La Corniche

1.58 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…

4. Académie des Beaux-Arts

1.61 MILES

This regarded art school has loads of sculpture around the grounds, and you can often see students and professors at work.

5. Hôtel de Ville

1.63 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…

6. Marché Touristique

1.66 MILES

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

7. Brazza Memorial

1.68 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…

8. Nôtre Dame Cathedral

1.77 MILES

Built under Belgian rule in 1947, this brick cathedral is one of Kinshasa's most important religious buildings.