The French Riviera of the East, as it is fondly called by travelers who fall in love with this pretty Indian union territory. Pondicherry is a city quite like none other in India. A former French colony, Pondicherry is charming in every sense of the word.
A beautiful promenade that overlooks the majestic Arabian sea, home to an experimental township unlike anywhere else and an extremely rich yet unique history, Pondicherry’s serenity attracts everyone, the regular traveler, the spiritual seeker and those who want a break from their hectic day-to-day lives.
Pondi, as it’s affectionately known, or officially Puducherry, has an extremely strong French influence. An influence so strong that for a second you may be forgiven for thinking you aren’t in India anymore but in a coastal town along the Riviera. Quaint cafes, narrow lanes, pristine beaches and heritage buildings will transport you to a different time and a different world. Want to know how to best explore this town? Read our Pondicherry travel guide to find out!
If there was one place you could identify Pondicherry with, it would have to be France. Never under the British rule, Pondicherry was always an integral part of a much smaller French, things stayed that way up until the point where after India attained independence from all its colonist rulers, Pondicherry was absorbed into the Union of India and given the special status of a Union Territory to preserve and promote its unique identity and heritage.
One of the most interesting things about Pondicherry is that almost all of its history has been recorded after the advent of European colonists. In this case the Dutch, they were followed by the Portuguese, the British and then the French who would come to be the most closely associated with Pondicherry forever after. The French established the French East India Company in Pondicherry in the 17th century, and even though they had to surrender Pondicherry to the Brits a few times after, somehow Pondicherry would always eventually land back in the control of the French.
The interesting and relatively recent history of this beautiful coastal town can be seen through its heritage buildings, the French War Memorial, a site that honors the fallen French soldiers in World War I, The French and Tamil quarters, where the two major communities lived and the world renowned community centric township, The Auroville Ashram.
Pondicherry has an extremely distinct culture, it has managed to take the best of its Tamilian roots, infused it with its French influence, and managed to create a special identity that resonates with both India and France. While the French character is quite prominent, Pondicherry remains a place that is Indian at heart. Indian festivals are celebrated with fervor. With people from all over the world living in Pondicherry, this city is a great example of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and an extremely cosmopolitan society.
Apart from all Indian festivals that are celebrated, the people of Pondicherry also celebrate the Mascarade (Mask Festival) in France and it’s one big party on the streets of Pondicherry. The Hindu festival of Masi Magan is also widely celebrated and on Bastille Day, which is the national day of France, you can see the French Memorial site lit up.
The food has an extremely strong Tamil influence with rice and sambar being staple for the large Tamilian population of the city. There are plenty of non-vegetarian options too, especially with Pondicherry being home to many finishing communities. Owing to a strong French influence, it’s not hard to find a cafe that serves a baguette, brioche or a pastry in Pondicherry.
By Air -Pondicherry does have an airport, however, the frequency of flights into Pondicherry is abysmal. You may still find a flight from Bangalore or Hyderabad. Practically your best bet to fly into Pondicherry is via Chennai. Fly into Chennai and drive to Pondicherry, which is about 3 hours away, making it a very viable option.
By Rail - Just like its airport, Pondicherry also has a railway station, Puducherry Junction. However it’s not very well connected with long-distance trains and train journeys that originate outside of Tamil Nadu. The closest major station to Pondicherry is the Villapuram Junction, it’s well connected to most major railway stations and is about an hour away from Pondicherry.
By Road - Pondicherry is well connected by road to most major cities and tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu, Getting a bus or hiring a cab from places like Chennai, Thanjavur, Madurai, Trichy, Coimbatore and even Bangalore is definitely a good idea.
The best time to visit is definitely in the winter months from October to March, the weather is pleasant and makes exploration and beach days a lot more fun. Pondicherry does get some rainfall from October to December but those days are far and few in between! You must try attending the Mascarade festival if you visit in March.
The months from April to June are hot and ideally best skipped. The monsoon months from July to September may play spoilsport to your outdoor plans or days where you want to visit the beach, but the monsoons don’t hit Pondicherry as heavily as they do on the western coast of the country.
Neighborhoods like the French Quarter and the Tamil Quarter are best explored on foot. If you have a bike, navigating around the town gets much simpler. It also enables you to visit some of the smaller fishing villages around the coast. Having a bike or a car also makes exploring Auroville a lot more easier and fun.
The public transport in Pondicherry is admittedly quite poor. While you can book an Ola or Uber on your phone in Pondi, renting a bike or a car remains the best mode of exploration.
Breaking Stereotypes About Pondicherry
For all its French connection, you may think that it’s a common language of communication in Pondicherry. Statistically speaking, only about 20% of the population in Pondicherry knows French to an extent. Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and English are the official languages of Pondicherry and learning French is equivalent to learning Sanskrit. It’s a prestigious language to learn, however, it has little use for in the day-to-day life of Pondicherry.
French Memorial Site - A memorial built to honor all the French soldiers who lost their lives in the first world war is a frequent site among tourists to this day. It’s well lit up and decorated on Bastille Day and makes for a beautiful sight.
Auroville Ashram - Auroville is a one of its kind experimental township, which focuses on community living. The Ashram is administered by the Indian government and operates completely independently. The whole purpose of Auroville is to promote human unity and for people to live in peace and progress together regardless of their nationality, race or gender.
What makes Auroville special is it has its own economy which is different from the traditional way of doing things. Every resident has an account linked to the central account and through guest houses and sale of stationery items like handmade paper and incense sticks. Auroville is a self-sustaining global community.
Arikamedu - You don’t want to miss Arikamedu if you’re a history buff. It was once a roaring trading port that had commercial relations with the Greeks and Romans as early as the 2nd century BCE. Years later, the French colonizers built a seminary here, known as the Mission House. While most of the seminary and the ancient historical structures have been destroyed over time and natural calamities, Arikamedu still makes for a great place to visit when in Pondicherry.
The Promenade - It’s just what it says - a beautiful promenade overlooking the sea. The French Riviera of the East tag comes from The Promenade and the beautiful heritage buildings that are a symbol of the stunning French architecture. Chill in one of the quintessentially French cafes that offer amazing views of the sea or go for a swim while the sun is still out. The Promenade is arguably the best spot in Pondicherry to unwind.
Is Pondicherry Worth Visiting?
A place where the look and feel is markedly French, the beautiful yellow walls, breezy beaches by The Promenade and the dappled path in the Auroville are just a few of the attractions in Pondicherry. To put it simply, Pondicherry must be in the bucket list of every traveler!
How Many Days Are Enough For Pondicherry?
2-3 days would be sufficient for you to explore the best locations in Pondicherry and experience the vibe of the town. But of course, it depends on the type of traveler you are. Make sure that you visit Auroville, The Promenade and Paradise Beach. Don’t forget the many cafes too!
How Expensive Is Pondicherry?
Pondicherry isn’t a particularly expensive place to visit. You can expect to spend about ₹1,500 per day excluding travel. Speaking of cheap, you can get alcohol at lower rates here as Pondicherry is a Union Territory.
Can I Wear Shorts In Pondicherry?
Yes! You can wear shorts in Pondicherry, no problem. This might even be the better choice of attire to wear, considering the warm weather of Pondicherry.
Is Pondicherry Better Than Goa?
While Goa is known as the ‘it’ place for beaches (and quite rightly so), Pondicherry is relatively quieter. You may not be able to experience the bustling nightlife scene of Goa, exploring the streets of Pondicherry at night can be quite a wonderful experience too. If you ask us, we say that both places have their own charm and are worth visiting.
How Can I Spend 2 Days In Pondicherry?
There’s a lot for you to experience in Pondicherry for 2 days. The beach bums can visit the famous Paradise Beach and Promenade Beach. Want some peace and quiet? Head on to Auroville or the Aurobindo Ashram. Pondicherry may not be the first place that comes to mind when talking about places of worship, but the Manakula Vinayagar Temple and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral are places that you can visit too!
How Far Is Mahabalipuram From Pondicherry?
The historical town of Mahabalipuram is about 95 km from Pondicherry. You’ll be driving on the East Coast Road, and bus services ply regularly between the two towns as well.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Pondicherry?
October to March is the best time to visit Pondicherry. This is when the weather is relatively mild, with temperatures ranging between 15-30°C. Also, rains are relatively uncommon during this time of the year.
Which Is The Best Area To Stay In Pondicherry?
Being a tourist hub, Pondicherry has no lack of places to stay. It depends on the kind of traveler you are, and your budget. Why not check out Unstumbled’s curated list of the best hotels in Pondicherry? We’re sure we can show you something that suits your tastes!
Is Pondicherry Safe At Night?
Pondicherry is quite safe at night, even for solo female travelers. In any case, there isn’t much to do here in terms of nightlife, as businesses are shut down by 11 pm.
