Pondicherry
Discover Pondicherry
Pondicherry (Tamil: புதுச்சேரி Putucceri, French: Pondichéry), also known as Puducherry or Pondy, is a city and an enclave within Tamil Nadu, India. There is a strong French influence on the architecture of the city, especially in the old quarters, with rues and boulevards lined with Mediterranean-style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much Indian. French is still understood, and the whole city makes for a pleasant mix of the East and the West. Pondicherry, though small in geographical size, was the largest French colony in India. The city has a long and interesting history of trade and war. It is also known as The French Riviera of the East (La Côte d'Azur de l'Est). If you have spent some time in Tamil Nadu and approached Pondicherry by land, you will very likely experience mild culture shock on discovering French architecture and restaurants serving steak and good wine. Pondicherry is very much a city with a dual personality: crossing the central canal from the east to the west reveals two different cities with very different characters.
What to Experience in Pondicherry
A lighthouse was constructed in Pondicherry in the nineteenth century by the French rulers. This old lighthouse had first beamed light on 1 September 1836.
Windy evening
An experiment of humanity to create new civilization
The French Quarter or White Town area in Pondicherry is filled with elegant colonial mansions in the midst of tree-lined boulevards, named on French streets beginning with ‘rue’, numerous parks and charming cafés.
a red scooter parked next to a yellow building
rock formations near sea under blue and orange sky
red and black city bike parked beside white concrete building during daytime
Sunset in Pondicherry
person in white shirt standing on gray concrete dock during daytime
brown wooden door
Famous Beaches
Rock Beach. (updated Jun 2023)
University Beach. (updated Jun 2023)
Handmade paper
Leather
Pottery
Textile and clothes
Hot Breads, Nehru St, a pleasant European bakery.
Karai, 100 Feet Rd. Nellithope. Multi
Rendezvous, 30, Rue Suffren. Closed on Tuesdays.
Satsanga, 30, Labourdonnais. Open every day.
Flora Beach Resort, ☏ +91
Atithi, No.126 S.V. Patel Salai, ☏ +91 413
Le Cafe
Gelato Factory
Cafe Coffee Day
Taste of Pondicherry...
Pondicherry is known for its wide variety of cuisines ranging from South Indian delicacies like idly and dosa to seafood like fried fish, prawn bajji and parota. French influence can be seen to some extent in the local food. The best options are still the local delicacies; the excellent seafood. Good French food is available at restaurants around the French part of town. There are a multitude of liquor shops and wineshops around the city, perhaps owing to the French influence. Alcohol in Pondich
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsPondicherry is well connected from all sides. Chennai is 160 km north of the city. You can also hire a taxi from Chennai International Airport (MAA). It costs around ₹2,500 (Indian rupees), as of August 2018. The road from Chennai to Pondicherry (the East Coast Road, commonly called ECR) is a scenic highway and a normal journey would take about 3 hours. Most tourists, however, cannot resist the seashore kissing the ECR and take a number of stops en route. This route passes through Mamallapuram, ...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Pondicherry has narrow streets reminiscent of western Europe. It is highly advisable that you do not attempt to drive around in a car, and instead purchase or hire a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle or motorcycle. It can however be difficult to ride smoothly in Pondicherry due to the significant number of pedestrians on smaller streets, while roads would likely be used by cars and trucks. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in the city. There are several rental outlets on Mission St and MG R
Where to Stay
Always carry passport with you and put a sticky note inside it with the phone number of your travel consultant. Never pay anyone upfront, especially to agents or drivers. Never exchange money with unauthorized foreign exchange dealers. Ask for a receipt after exchanging money with the broker. Don't get trapped in the narcotics trading, as no one wants to end the journey in prison. Switch off your mobile phones while in museums, temples and churches or they will be confiscated. Wi-Fi can be diffi
Money & Budget
Pondicherry is known for its wide variety of cuisines ranging from South Indian delicacies like idly and dosa to seafood like fried fish, prawn bajji and parota. French influence can be seen to some extent in the local food. The best options are still the local delicacies; the excellent seafood. Good French food is available at restaurants around the French part of town. There are a multitude of l
Language & Talk
Tamil is the main language spoken in Pondicherry. The city was essentially a French possession in the Tamil-speaking area of the region. You need to be able to speak Tamil if you wish to live in Pondicherry. Expect to be able to get quite far in South Asia as an English-speaking tourist. Persons in Pondicherry with a university education may be able to converse with you in English. French is no lo
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Always carry passport with you and put a sticky note inside it with the phone number of your travel consultant. Never pay anyone upfront, especially to agents or drivers. Never exchange money with unauthorized foreign exchange dealers. Ask for a receipt after exchanging money with the broker. Don't get trapped in the narcotics trading, as no one wants to end the journey in prison. Switch off your mobile phones while in museums, temples and churches or they will be confiscated. Wi-Fi can be difficult to find in Pondicherry. Many restaurants, even fancier ones, do not have Wi-Fi.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Pondicherry
A lighthouse was constructed in Pondicherry in the nineteenth century by the French rulers. This old lighthouse had first beamed light on 1 September 1836.
Windy evening
An experiment of humanity to create new civilization
The French Quarter or White Town area in Pondicherry is filled with elegant colonial mansions in the midst of tree-lined boulevards, named on French streets beginning with ‘rue’, numerous parks and charming cafés.
a red scooter parked next to a yellow building
rock formations near sea under blue and orange sky
red and black city bike parked beside white concrete building during daytime
Sunset in Pondicherry
person in white shirt standing on gray concrete dock during daytime
brown wooden door
A lighthouse was constructed in Pondicherry in the nineteenth century by the French rulers. This old lighthouse had first beamed light on 1 September 1836.
Windy evening
An experiment of humanity to create new civilization