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Libreville — travel, stays & events guide
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Libreville city overview
Libreville is a city in Gabon shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forLibreville, Capital city in Gabon, Libreville planning base 3, Libreville planning base 4
RegionGabonGabon
Time zoneAfrica/Librevillelocal time
Founded1839historical origin
City history
French admiral Édouard Bouët-Willaumez negotiated a trade and protection treaty with the local Mpongwé ruler, Antchoué Komé Rapontcombo (known to the French as King Denis), in 1839.
American missionaries from New England established a mission in Baraka, Gabon, on what is now Libreville, in 1842.
In 1846, the Brazilian slave ship L'Elizia, carrying slaves from the Congo, was captured near Loango by the French navy which was tasked with contributing to the British Blockade of Africa.
Fifty-two of the freed slaves were resettled on the site of Libreville (French for "Freetown") in 1849.
Libreville was the administrative capital of France's Congo-Gabon colony between 1888 and 1904, when the capital moved to Brazzaville.
In 1910, Gabon became part of French Equatorial Africa (Afrique équatoriale française, AEF).
Construction of the Congo–Ocean Railway began in 1921, and Libreville was surpassed by the rapid growth of Pointe-Noire, farther down the coast.
Libreville received its first bank branch when Paris-based Banque de l'Afrique Occidentale opened a branch in 1930.
In 1940, Libreville was the central focus of the Battle of Gabon as Charles de Gaulle's Free French forces, supported by the Royal Navy, moved to consolidate control over French Equatorial Africa.
With national independence on the horizon, Léon M'ba won Libreville's first free mayoral election in 1956.
Various native peoples lived in or used the area that is now Libreville before colonization, including the Mpongwé tribe.
It soon became necessary to build a railroad that would connect Brazzaville, the terminus of the river navigation on the Congo River and the Ubangi River, with the Atlantic coast.
As rapids make it impossible to navigate on the Congo River past Brazzaville, and the coastal railroad terminus site had to allow for the construction of a deep-sea port, authorities chose the site of.
Worth seeing
Libreville
Libreville is a practical Libreville planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Gabon
Capital city in Gabon is a practical Libreville planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Libreville planning base 3
Libreville planning base 3 is a practical Libreville planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Libreville planning base 4
Libreville planning base 4 is a practical Libreville planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Libreville planning base 5
Libreville planning base 5 is a practical Libreville planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Libreville planning base 6
Libreville planning base 6 is a practical Libreville planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Libreville before booking Libreville hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
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Compare stays in Libreville, GabonFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Libreville airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Libreville day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
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Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Libreville events in the shared event index yet.