Why A Cycling Tour is the Best Way to Explore Pondicherry

Ok, I have major FOMO – Fear of Missing Out, especially when it comes to travelling. So, when my bestie said that she had booked a package for Pondicherry from MakeMyTrip, I shamelessly piled on! What I found most interesting, however, was that this was no ordinary trip; it was a cycling tour around the city, which meant I would get to experience Pondicherry in a whole different way! 

The French Quarters

The French Quarter was every bit as charming as I imagined with quaint colonial-style buildings and bungalows complete with trellised hedges and bougainvillea creepers, arched windows and terracotta rooftops.We pedalled past heritage buildings like Ananda Ranga Pillai House and Foyer Du Soldat, the Botanical Garden and got blessings from the elephant outside Manakula Vinayagar Temple, which was my favourite part.

Famished from all the cycling, only in Pondicherry can you enjoy a traditional South Indian platter for lunch followed by an authentic French espresso coffee and dessert all under one roof! Well fed, we then decided to explore the seaside Promenade and its attractions like the French War Memorial, Town Hall and Old Lighthouse on foot.

Read more: 5 Hotel Stays to Make Pondicherry an Exceptional Holiday Experience

Auroville                                                                                                     

On our trip, we saved the best for last – Auroville! We had passes to go inside the inner sanctum of Matrimandir, which was worth getting up for at the crack of dawn. We then treated ourselves to retail therapy at the gift shop stocking up on essential oils, incense, candles and handmade paper made locally. We had some of the most delicious organic food at a Swedish-Indian café called Naturellement before making our way to Auroville beach.

Pondicherry definitely ranks as one of the best trips I’ve taken in India. For anyone planning a holiday here, I highly recommend taking this cycling tour. You can pace it how you like and can see so much more.

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