Pondicherry: An Ideal Getaway for All Kinds of Travellers!

 

Do you like exploring new travel destinations? Looking for suggestions for a new place to visit this year? Umm, did I hear you say you want something French? Or France-like? In that case, Monsieur, Mademoiselle, we have something just for you.

Read on and find out…

French Riviera of the East

Pondicherry lies on the south-east coast of India in the state of Tamil Nadu. By the way, this is the same place where Ang Lee’s beautifully executed blockbuster movie, Life of Pi is set. A former French colony, this quaint little town has retained its old-world French charm. Fondly called Pondi, this “French Riviera of the East” is known for its large boulevards, brightly painted houses with high compound walls laden with bougainvillea, clean, well-laid streets with French name plates, colonial buildings, gothic churches, classic heritage monuments, pristine beaches, serene backwaters, expansive gardens and of course delicious authentic French cuisine.

For the Party Animal

Kick start the new year with some unlimited partying and head straight to Pondicherry’s sun kissed beaches. The Promenade, Paradise Beach, Serenity Beach and Auroville Beach are buzzing with activity all through the year.

For the Heritage Lover

If your idea of a holiday is basking in the glory of colonial French buildings and monuments, then take a Heritage Walk around the town.

The two kilometre French Heritage Walk (organized by INTAC and Puducherry Tourism Department) transports you to the old French era. Stroll past Parisian styled street side cafes and French residential villas or visit some of the most important French monuments – Place de la Republique, French War Memorial, Old Light House, the statue of Joan of Arc and Dupleix, The Governor’s Residence, French Consulate, and heritage hotels like Le Grand Hotel d Europe.

You can also go to the Puducherry Museum, to discover the charm of French architectural artifacts, furniture, pottery, crockery and upholstery at its very finest. Take some time out to visit some of the beautiful French style churches in the town, like the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

For The French Foodie

A holiday in Pondicherry is never complete without savoring its local cuisine. Pondicherry offers a whole mosaic of culinary integration. Discover traces of French and Dutch flavours intermingled with the local delicacies in the superb hybrid varieties like spicy steak seasoned with black pepper, savory crepes served with chutney and stuffed cabbage. If you are craving for delicate sweet desserts, dig right into chilled peach, litchi stew, chocolate mousse and more. Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy bonafide French baguettes, brioches and pastries.

For Everyone Else

If you are just looking for some laid-back leisure, Chunnambar Backwater (known for its tree-top accommodation) and it’s Plage Paradiso beach (where you can catch dolphins frolicking in the sea), Bharathi Park and Botanical Garden are for you.

For those seeking spiritual salvation, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville and the numerous temples, churches and mosques resplendent with architectural splendor are a must visit.

For eager travelers, backpackers and families alike, waiting to experience the best of French culture and history, Pondicherry is the perfect holiday destination. Here are a few handy tips if you're planning a long weekend getaway:

Where to Stay?

Budget: Rs 7,500 per person (inclusive of 2 night stay in a 3-star hotel, meals and sightseeing)

Distance from Mumbai: Take a flight from Mumbai to Chennai, which is 135 km away (3 hour drive) from Pondicherry.

Distance from Chennai:  161 kilometres

Traveller Type: Friends, Solo Travellers, Couples

If you are travelling from Bengaluru, Pondicherry is just a 6-hour drive away!