Overview
Franceville was founded by Brazza as "Francheville" (meaning "city of the freed" in French) on June 13, 1880. As time went on, it became known as Franceville.
Features of the town include St Hilaire's Church (built in 1899), a large statue of President Omar Bongo (who was born in Franceville), and a primate medical research institute. The town also has a golf course, while its airport lies 20 km west in Mvengué.
There is a market where numerous items can be purchased, including clothing, fruit and vegetables, electronics, meats, and the market also sells bushmeat, which includes African Rock Python, monkey and local species of animals.
The infrastructure of Franceville is overall of better quality than the rest of the country, most probably because of the city's significance.
There are a few hotels of which the best known is the Hotel Poubara, overlooking the President's holiday home.
Franceville also has many waterfalls. One of the best known is the Poubara Falls, which is co-located with a hydroelectric plant, which provides the area with constant electricity. President of Gabon Omar Bongo was buried in Franceville on June 18, 2009.
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