You only have to walk between the throbbing alleys of Dantokpa Market for a few moments to realize that Cotonou is a lived-in example of a true West African metropolis. The stalls there burst with stacks of rainbow-colored peppers and chilis, the scents of exotic herbs waft through the air, and haggling is the backing track. From that bustling, bountiful bazaar on the edge of the flowing Oueme River, find your way up the wide Boulevard Saint Michel, where between the scooters and vocal traders the occasional remnant of French colonialism rises up against the sidewalks. Although not the official capital of Benin, Cotonou's economic importance and wealth of industries make it the powerhouse of the nation. There's a nightlife to match that rep, along with sizzling street food stalls that offer deep-fried yams between the red-and-white tiled Cathedral (a must see). Get your Cotonou tour guide to reveal all the hedonism and energy of this coastal metropolis on the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean.