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Fianarantsoa
What to see and do | Guided tours | Where to sleep | Where to eat | Nightclubs | Shopping | Transportation | Practical guide | Useful addresses
 Old
photograph of Fianarantsoa © Bibliothèque
universitaire
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Fianarantsoa, is an old royal city which became in 1830 administrative capital of the region under the colonial power. The name Fianarantsoa means "the place where one can learn something good” and was given by Queen Ranavalona 1st honouring the many academic institutions and reputed schools that are based here and which justify its reputation as the academic, intellectual and religious capital of the country it has the largest number of churches per square metre of the country). Like in Tana, old houses were in general built in the hills and the new ones were built in the valleys. The old upper town, the new town, where most shops are located and the train station district constitute the core of a city that has become almost unavoidable for any traveller heading to the South. |
A city walk tour starts usually at the train station, where
every
morning gemstone handlers join here to make their lucrative deals. From
here just follow the Rue Ampasambazaha, where most shops, restaurants
and hotels are located, until the Market Area, where you can admire
some fine examples of colonial architecture. To get to the upper town,
you can get onto a taxi-be (no 22). The minarets of the big mosque
remind visitors of far Arabia. Anatirova is the old historic centre
formerly occupied by the Betsileo Rova called Ivœnava (where
the
dead are hidden). From here you can enjoy a nice panoramic view on the
city below
On the western part of the city you eyes will be caught by the view of
Kianjasoa hill (1374 m) with a big statue of the Virgin Mary and her
son. The hill was used long time as a fortification to contain the
military incursions of the Merina and Tanala tribes.
Kianjasoa
means “the court of Isoa”. A legend tells us that
“one day, while children played on the square, a child hit
the
son of a prince; furious, the Prince moaned the child and asked him:
"Why did you hit Isoa if this court belongs to him
 |
Fiana´s old town has been included in 2008 on the World Monument Watch List of the 100 most endangered sites worldwide. |
Cultural events
Between May and September traditional Betsileo folk festivals are
annually held.
The Tolon'omby is a traditional Betsileo bull fight more similar to a
Western rodeo than to a Spanish-style bull fights. Instead of riding
the zebu (“omby”) the goal is to run into the
centre of the
pen, catch it by the hump and try to pull it to the ground.
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Sahambavy
This small town lies about 23 km on the railway from
Fianarantsoa to
Manakara. Its main attraction is the Sahambavy Lake, nested at the foot
of a hill, Lac Hôtel with a breathtaking view on the island
unique tea plantation (520 hectares) which spread out as far as the eye
can see. The plantation of tea was initiated here in the late 70s and
it offers today a free guided tour which explains visitors the
manufacturing procedure of tea. The beautiful landscape with the
charming lake is the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend which
can even be accessed by the train heading to Manakara (better reserve a
seat in the first class wagon when buying your tickets, since the train
gets already pretty full when departing Fianaratsoa).
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Hikes
In the immediate surroundings of Fianar (as the city is commonly
referred to by its inhabitants) there are a couple of interesting
destinations which invite the traveller to a pleasant hike far away of
the beaten track. Here we will present you some of them:
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Ampamaherana Forest station
Located some 30 km this reforestation centre invites you to a pleasant hiking. Follow the road from Antananarivo to the Forgeot station (7 km) and then turn onto the road on the right going parallel the railway.
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Rock of Alakamisy-Ambohimaha (26 Km)
Huge rock on which inscriptions in Arabic that carved around
the fourth century.
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Fanjakana (60 Km)
From a 1392 m altitude, this point offers a magnificent view over a radius of 50 km. Take the road to Isorana (RN 42) and then Ikalamavony turning to the right to Fanjakana.
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Vineyards
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Fianarantsoa
is also known as the capital of wine. Excellent red and
white wines are produced in the terraced vineyards surrounding the
town. The most famous is the one produced by a large association of
vine-farmers called Lazan'i Betsileo. Maromby (four km on the North) is
a small, peaceful village in the vicinity of vineyards, where wine can
be bought at the monastery.
|
 Winery worker © Madagascar Travel Guide |
Fianarantsoa is the gate to the Isalo National Park and the Ranomafana national park.
Guided tours
La maison des
guides "Coeur Malgache"
Lot 10 D, Beravina
Tel: + 261 20 75 517 30 Mobile: + 261 (0) 32 40 568 56
e-mail: coeurmalague@hotmail.com
The love story of Antoine Pénisson with Madagascar began in
October 2001 when he spent here two months. After a fund raising
campaign in France he decided to create the Malagasy Heart Association,
in order to generate jobs locally. Antoine organized this
voluntary association since April 2004. The goal: promote sustainable
development. The praiseworthy initiative comprises now a creamery, an
embroidery and a training centre for mountain guides.
Besides buying cheese, you can take part in tours guided by students
and professional guides or even go to a tour to Andringitra and Isalo
parks.
Marao
Madatouring
Talatamaty
Mobile: + 261 (0) 32 04 064 95
e-mail: aurelienmada@yahoo.fr
Web: http://www.maraomada.com
The 32 year-old Aurélien is already a high reputable guide
leading a tourism company with four other men for nine years so far.
Their offer includes multi-day excursions to the rainforest, visits of
tea plantations, a two-day-dugout trip on the Mahatsiatra,
Association des
guides Chez Dom
Mobile: + 261 (0) 33 14 572 87
Email: rakange@yahoo.fr
Web: www.madagascar-moratours.com
Angelo Rakotonirina is the leader of this tour company based in
Fianarantsoa. His main objective is to help people know more about our
country and especially, to help Malagasy understand the need to
preserve our natural forests. He organises traditional dugout trips on
the Mahatsiatra (discovering waterfalls, villages, rice fields, tea
plantations) and visits of all surrounding national parks (Ranomafana,
Andringitra, Isalo).
Where to sleep
(Hotels in alphabetical order, prices from 2011)
Budget | Middle class | High end | In the countryside
Budget accommodations
between 6 € and
10 €
Raza-Otel
Lot ID 18, Isaha
Tel: + 261 (20) 75 519 15
Mobile: + 261 (0) 33 12 342 42
Small hotel with only three rooms available from Ar 20,000, all nicely
decorated with bamboo furniture. The restaurant is located in the
living room. A very pleasant and friendly homestay with probably the
best value for money within this price category. Reservations
absolutely essential, given the small number of rooms. Camping possible
for 7,000 Ar.
Hôtel
Arinofy
Quartier Ivory, BP 1426
Tel: + 261 (20) 75 506 38
Quiet hotel located outside the centre. The place is clean and tidy
along with a restaurant of its own. The magnificent scenic view of
Fianarantsoa is nice so try to obtain a room upstairs.
Double with common facilites: Ar 19,000, double with en-suite bath: Ar
23,000
Mini Croq
Antarandolo
Phone: + (261) 75 907 68
Mail: mini.croq@yahoo.fr
Functional, clean and pretty comfortable hotel with private parking and
interesting views over the city. Not bad for the price.
Double room between 17,000 and 30,000 Ar with shared or private
facilities, familiar room up to 5 people for 40,000 Ar
Espace
Mahavantana
Antsoraokano
Tel: + 261 (0) 32 02 395 33
Five rooms à Ar 20,000 (with common facilities) located in
the interior of a beautiful traditional house with a very pleasant
garden.Its main contra: the many less attractive buildings around
deprive some privacy and spoil the views. However, shortly budgeted
will appreciate the low fares.
Middle-class
accommodations
10 – 25
€
Hotel Cotsoyannis
4 Rue du Prince Ramaharo – Ampasambazaha BP 1229
Tel: + 261 20 75 514 72
Mobile: + 261 (0) 32 40 209 86
e-mail : cotso@malagasy.com
Web: http://www.hotel.cotsoyannis.mg
Located in the city centre, in the shopping district, near the train
station and the taxi-brousse stop. All 21 rooms with bathroom, hot
water and toilets overlook a flowered patio where guests can have lunch
or a drink in a nice environment. Rooms prices from 22 to 30 €
for a double and 40 € the family room. Good value!
Hotel Mahamanina
Tel: + 261 20 75 521 11 / 75 502 50
e-mail: hotel-mahamanina@moov.mg
Well
maintained, small unpretentious hotel with a wide choice of rooms
for all budgets. The rooms, which are named for precious stones, are
nearly all different. Reasonably priced home stay with breakfast
included in the price.
Double rooms between Ar 30,000 and Ar 33,000 and triple rooms for
46,000 Ar
Hotel
Soratel
Immeuble Sorako B.P. 1335 Ampasambazaha
Tel: + 261 (20) 75 516 66
Mail: contact@soratel.com
Web: http://www.soratel.com
Three stars hotel, inaugurated in 1998, offers 26 spacious rooms of
international standard. All rooms are fitted with carpet and equipped
with a bathroom or a shower-room (warm water, hair dryer), a TV, phone
and refrigerator. The price includes breakfast. Good choice!
Double room for 36,000 Ar, triple for 46,000 Ar, familiar room for
50,000 and studio with kitchen for 65,000 Ar
Hotel
Tomsontsoa
B.P 1150 Fianarantsoa 301 - Madagascar
Tel: +261 20 75 514 05
e-mail : contact@hotel-tombontsoa.com
Web: www.hotel-tombontsoa.com
Located in the heart of the city, this hotel has targeted more business
people. It has a pool nestled in beautiful landscaped gardens, a tennis
court and sauna. Rooms are spacious, fitted with large panoramic
windows, TV and en-suite baths.
Doubles from Ar 30,000 in the low season.
Maison
d'Hôtes Vala
Ville Haute
Mobile: + 261 (0) 32 43 635 98
Mail: vala.house@yahoo.fr
A beautiful hotel with magnificent views on the city from the terrace.
The rooms are comfortable and welcomig, the bathrooms are shared.
Doubles from Ar 32,000 to 50,000.
Soafia
Hôtel
Zorozoroana Ambalakisoa BP 1022
Tel/Fax: + 261 (20) 75 503 53 / + 261 (20) 75 505 53
e-mail: contact@soafia-hotel.com
Web: http://www.soafia-hotel.com
Standard tourist class establishment with 83 air-conditioned,
spacious rooms all comfort, bathroom, TV, telephone and fridge. The
hotel also provides a restaurant, sauna, gym, a banquet and a
conference room. The cuisine is Malagasy, French and Chinese. The
patisserie offers a tasteful bread and croissants.
Single rooms for 23 €, double for 30 €, familiar for
48 € and studios for 48 €.
Maison
d´Hotes Peniela
Ville Haute
Tel: + 261 (0) 32 40 486 56
e-mail: peniela.house@yahoo.fr
A beautiful traditional house, offering comfortable and a little
austere rooms with character. Recommendable stay with fair prices (Ar
32,000 for a double room and 67,000 for four people).
Zomatel Hotel
Place du Zoma, 301 Fianarantsoa
Tel/Fax: +261 (20) 75 507 97 / +261 (20) 75 513 76
e-mail: zomatel@zomatel.com
Web: www.zomatel-madagascar.com
Just a step away from downtown Fianarantsoa this popular hotel among
tourist groups offer 34 rooms with en-suite facilities, AC, minibar and
satellite TV. Its
restaurant, "L' Entrecôte du Zoma", is supposed to be one of
Fianarantsoa's best restaurants, and offers a Malagasy, European, Asian
and Indian cuisine.
Prices for a single room 15 €, double room 32 €,
triple for
36 €, familiar 48 € and apartment for 60
€
Upper-class accommodations
Tsara Guesthouse
BP 1373
Tel/Fax: + 261 (20) 75 502 06 Fax: + 261
(20) 75 512 09
e-mail: tsaraguest@tsaraguest.com
Web: www.tsaraguest.com
A charming and small hotel, compounded by old traditional buildings of
the highlands just below the upper city. The principal house is a
restored church. Rooms are refined and nicely decorated but not as
spacious as the previous address. From the small garden guests can
enjoy a superb view on the upper town. In short: a very chick hotel
with a formal ambiance. Besides the more luxury option (doubles between
29 and 48 €, suites between 50 and 59
€) the hotel
also offers accommodation with shared facilities between 35,000 and
38,000 Ar depending on the season.
Accommodations in the countryside
Lac Hôtel
Sahambavy Fianarantsoa II, 301
Tel/Fax: (+261 20) 75 518 73 / (+261 20) 75 519 06
e-mail : lachotel@moov.mg
Web: www.lachotel.com
This luxury hotel is magnificently located at the bank of the Lake
Sahambavy with breathtaking views on the island unique tea plantation
(520 hectares). It offers comfortable rooms located in
charming and typical bungalows of Malagasy style, scattered in a
tropical garden. Meals are served in a panoramic restaurant on edge of
the lake. Many outdoor activities offered. An absolutely wonderful
location for a couple of stress-free days.
15 double bungalows for 20 €, 12 triple for 26
€ and 2 familiar for 28 €
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| Tea plantation in Sahambavy |
Hotely
Gosena
Tel: (+ 261 20) 75 516 16
Located 200 m up the street from Tsara, this is surely the best snack
bar of the city. Good choice of pasta,
soups, pastries and sandwiches. Ideal for tight budgets.
L´Ancre
D´Or
Ampasanbazaha
Phone: + (261) 20 75 508 15
Central located not far from the train station, this restaurant
prepares very good Malagasy specialities. Friendly atmosphere, a good
place to have a beer!
Espace
Relax
Ampasanbazaha
Popular bar-restaurant serving pizzas, local and international meals at
good prices. Karaoke on Friday nights!
Le Panda
Ampasambazaha
Tel: (+ 261 20) 75 505 69
Very close to Cotsoyannis Hotel. A good choice with wild duck,
crocodile and mushrooms specialities. The cuisine is extraordinary
tasteful and the prices fair. Good choice!
Chez Dom
Lot 92 D-3601, Ampasambazaha
Correct kitchen and very popular with tourists who often full the
place. Intenet conection.
Nightclubs
Espace Moulin
Rouge (ex Mada Club)
At the northern city entrance from Antananarivo.
Disco at the
Soafia Hotel
Mainly Malagasy clients
Shopping
Laboratoire Pierrot Men
BP 1199
Tel: (+ 261 20) 75 500 23
Shop at
the Soafia Hotel
In the Soafia Hotel shopping friends will be surely delighted with
the many postcards, posters and calendars printed with the photographic
motifs by Pierrot Men, one of the most acknowledged
Madagascar’s
photographers.
Air Madagascar
Tel: (+ 261 20) 75 508 77
Fianar is connected twice per week with Tana.
By
bus
Buses from Tana leave the capital around 8 pm and arrive at
around 5
am Fianaratsoa. Expect to pay around Ar 17.000 for a single way.
For Manakara or Mananjary fares cost approximately Ar 15,000
to 12,000 for a night journey (departures in the evening).
Moving around by taxi
A single fare will cost you around Ar 2000 during the day, and Ar 2500 at night.
By train
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The train ride from Fianarantsoa to Manakara is an experience not to be missed. This spectacular route, which is also one of the steepest of the world, links the highland city of Fianarantsoa with the east coast town of Manakara crossing through 67 bridges and 48 tunnels. It offers some magnificent views as it descends the escarpment to the east. Closed for a time, then reopened, big efforts are being made now to restore the rail and make the journey an indisputable tourist attraction for the region. Nevertheless, if you would like to embark on this adventure, take plenty of time, since the ride with a speed of 20-35 km/hour takes 8-12 hours to make the trip. A tip: to Manakara, left seats offer a better view. From Manakara: choose better the right aisle.
You can see more detailed information about this train ride,
timetables and prices on our section: Getting around by train
Practical guide
Banks
BFV
Bd. P. Tsiranana, Tsianolondroa
Tel/Fax: (+ 261 20) 75 505 52 / (+ 261 20) 75 513 30
It accepts Visa cards. Western Union point.
BNI
Tsianolondroa
Tel: (+ 261 20) 75 506 28
Mo-Fr 8 am - 11 am and 2 pm - 4 pm
BOA
Tsianolondroa
Tel: (+ 261 20) 75 501 50
It accepts MasterCard
Communications
You can find Internet access and public telephone at the main post office next to the train station.
ANGAP
Antsororokavo
Tel: (+ 261 20) 75 512 74
e-mail: angapfnr@moov.mg
Police
station
Tel: (+ 261 20) 505 82
