Pondicherry
India's French Colony
Pondicherry Tourism
Imagine this, you’re sitting on the shore, enjoying the cool breeze as you watch the sun set. Now imagine this, you’re cycling your way through a city with brightly painted houses with bougainvillaea laden walls and clean roads with greenery around. Want more? Okay, think of the calmness that one gets when they escape the ruckus of the outside world and sit and meditate in a peaceful environment. Like it? Then Pondicherry is your one stop destination for a break from the noisy city life.
Situated in Pudducherry district of the union territory and surrounded by the state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. A former French colony, the city has retained all of its old-world French charms and thus the city comes close to giving you a very authentic feel of the French culture.
Of streets and road signs with French names, gothic churches and colonial buildings, tranquil backwaters and clean beaches, topped with authentic French cuisine, Pondicherry has all this to offer and more.
Things to do in Pondicherry
1.French War Memorial
3 kilometres from city centre
At a distance of 3.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, French War Memorial is located on...
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2.Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple
6 kilometres from city centre
Popularly known as the Villianur Temple, at a distance of 11 km from Pondicherry, is t...
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3.Paradise Beach
660 kilometres from city centre
Known for its glorious backwaters and its sparkly golden sands, situated in Chunnambar...
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4.Varadaraja Perumal Temple
3 kilometres from city centre
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this 12th century temple is famous for its Dravidian architec...
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5.Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple
3 kilometres from city centre
Sri Manakula Vinayagar, an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, at a distance of 3...
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6.Church of Our Lady of Angels
3 kilometres from city centre
The Church of Our Lady of Angels, also known as Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges Church, ...
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7.Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
2 kilometres from city centre
Located 2.5 km away from the Pondicherry Bus Station on the south boulevard of the town...
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8.Immaculate Conception Cathedral
3 kilometres from city centre
Known as the mother church for the Roman Catholic Archideose of Pondicherry, Immaculate...
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9.Mahatma Gandhi Statue
3 kilometres from city centre
At a distance of 2.5 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, this four-meter (13 feet) high st...
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10.Pondicherry beach
3 kilometres from city centre
One of the popular beaches in Pondicherry along the Bay of Bengal, with a 1.5 km long s...
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11.The Statue of Dupleix
3 kilometres from city centre
Situated in children's park on the beach road, this 3 meter high statue of Joseph Franc...
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12.Ousteri Wetland and National Park
9 kilometres from city centre
One of Asia's most important wetlands, Ousteri Lake, also known as Osudu Lake, is situa...
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13.Meeran Mosque
2 kilometres from city centre
Built in the old Gothic Islamic style of architecture, at a distance of 2 km from Pondi...
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14.Chunnambar Boat House
4 kilometres from city centre
Chunambar is a fashionable little community located along Cuddalore Main Road, around 8...
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15.Jawahar Toy Museum
3 kilometres from city centre
With more than 140 dolls brought from different Indian states, situated at the old ligh...
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16.Pondicherry Museum
3 kilometres from city centre
At a distance of 3 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, situated in the Bharathi Park, Pond...
Read morePondicherry Photos
Things to do
- Witness Villianur Temple Car Festival
- Try Surfing at Serenity Beach
- Enjoy the Best Bird Watching Experience at Ousteri Lake
- Plunge in for Scuba Diving
- Shop at: geetanjali store, La boutique d’ Auroville and Saram China market.
- Relish Cycling by hiring cycles from 'My vintage Bicyclette'
How to reach
Pondicherry is easily accesible through air, rail, and road.
How to Reach by Flight
The nearest airport is Chennai International airport located almost 135 km away. The Chennai airport is well connected to all major cities across the country. Once you reach at the airport, you can hire a private taxi to reach Pondicherry.
How to Reach by Train
Villupuram railhead is considered as the nearest railway station. It is well linked to Trichy, Madurai, Chennai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai etc. Two of the most popular trains are New Delhi Pondicherry Express and Nagarcoli Express. Once you reach at the station, you can hire a taxi that will drive you to the city.
How to Reach by Bus
There are several buses that run frequently from Chennai, Thanjaur, Trichy, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Madurai to Pondicherry. Both private and state-owned buses are available.
How to Reach by Road
Pondicherry falls on the National Highway 45, which connects it to major cities of South India such as Chennai, which is about 150 kilometres away and Bangalore, which is 320 kilometres away.
How to travel within
You can find a number of Taxis, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws in cheaper prices to travel around Pondicherry.
Pondicherry Itinerary
DAY 1
- Start off with Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Next, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- Continue with Immaculate Conception Cathedral
- Break for lunch
- Visit the French town of Auroville and see the Matri Mandir.
- End the first day with Paradise Beach and enjoy the sunset here.
DAY 2
- After breakfast, head towards French War Memorial
- Next, the Mahatma Gandhi Statue
- Continue with Meeran Mosque
- Break for lunch
- Spend the rest of the day at Ousteri Wetland and National Park
DAY 3
- Begin with Church of Our Lady of Angels
- Continue with Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple
- Next head to Jawahar Toy Museum
- Break for lunch
- End your trip by visiting Chunnambar Boat House
