Fianarantsoa

Overview

Fianarantsoa is the largest town in the highlands south of Tana and is the capital city of the province of the same name. As with all of Madagascar�s highland towns, the place is very hilly, so be prepared for some steep walks.

Your most likely introduction to Fianarantsoa will be the dusty, bustling taxi-brousse station along the busy Rue MDRM. Here it is easy to find a ride to your next destination or the way to a nearby hotel.

Hotel Arinofy is located close to the taxi-brousse station and is relatively easy to find, although the short walk does take you up a very steep hill! The hotel is extremely clean and has a nice restaurant on the bottom floor. The double story building has magnificent views overlooking the town and internet access is available. If the same chef is still working there, then he will offer to guide you around the town when he goes off shift. He is quite good and doesn't demand a fortune.

Fianarantsoa has plenty to offer its visitors. There is an Antaimoro paper factory not far from the Arinofy Hotel where you can watch a family go through each stage of paper making, from mushing up the sisal to adding the decorative flower petals and stems to the drying phase. Examples of the finished product are available for purchase and make great gifts or souvenirs. There is a larger and more famous Antaimoro paper factory in Ambalavao, but this one is nice and a bit more intimate.

A...more

History