The former French capital of India, standing on the banks of the Bay of Bengal, is more beautiful than I saw in photos. Old churches, blossoming bougainvilleas and colorful buildings adds beauty to this place. The city is quiet and its urban architecture, which depicts the French style, attracts people from around the world.
Places to visit:
Rock beach also called Promenade beach. The coastline of this beach is approx. 1.5 km long and there is a war memorial at the starting of the beach. And at the other end, a big Mahatma Gandhi Statue. Here you can just sit and enjoy the view of high tides.
There are many cafes and restaurants just opposite to the beach coastline. If you visit Pondicherry, then you must try French cuisines. For pizzas and pastas lover Pondy is heaven.
Suggestion: If you have time and can walk 4-5km then I suggest you explore every corner of the Frech colony on foot. Otherwise, you can hire a cycle/scooty also.
Some Must Visit Cafes:
Cafe Des Arts, an old antique and classy cafe. In this café you can meet traveller's of different countries.
Recommended food: Croissant, waffles, crepe.
Other famous cafes:
Le Café
La Maison Rose
Handicraft market street:
Apart from cafes, various boutiques sells different types of home decor items, textiles etc. You can buy some handicrafts items also at a very reasonable price if you know bargaining.
Best beach of Pondicherry- ‘Paradise beach’ also known as Plage Paradiso which is nearly 13km from the city. Beach is not accessible by road so To reach Paradise beach you need to buy ferry tickets from the Chunnambar Boathouse present on Cuddalore road. The beautiful ferry from the boathouse is the best part to reach the beach, with the view of the backwaters on the way with green and thick mangrove forests. Charges varies from ferry to ferry and the no. of seats on ferry. Normal charge was 300 per person (two-sided) last ferry time from island is 5 pm. A picturesque clean and calm beach with blue water and golden sand. This place has clean washrooms and changing rooms and has a space for rain dance also.
Very popular and enticing south Indian architecture, Vinayagar Temple. Situated very close to Promenade Beach and it is famous for blessing elephants.
Other Places to visit:
Sir Aurobindo Ashram
Puducherry Museum
Serenity Beach
Pondicherry is famous for enjoying the nightlife, with unlimited food options and uncountable numbers of pubs and DJ’s makes your trip worthy.
Best time to visit: October to February.