Pondicherry’s French Quarter is perfect for slow walks and long lunches. Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville, and swim at Paradise Beach.
Highlights
- French Quarter (White Town)
- Promenade Beach at dawn
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Auroville and the Matrimandir
- Paradise Beach
What to eat
- Creole and French cafés
- Seafood
- Croissants
Where to stay
Heritage guesthouses in White Town.
Getting there
About 3 hours by road from Chennai.
Tips
- Matrimandir’s inner chamber needs advance booking.
- Combine with Mahabalipuram on the way from Chennai.
Best time to visit
Dec-Mar. See what else is good in December and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Puducherry (Pondicherry)
- Arunachaleswara, Tiruvannamalai Shiva as fire; one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams
Places to see in and around Puducherry (Pondicherry)
45 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Arikamedu Ancient site, 3 km
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram Temple, 1 km
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pondicherry Temple, 0 km
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 1 km
- Manakula Vinayagar Temple Temple, 1 km
- Fort St. David Fort, 22 km
- Pataleeswarar Temple Temple, 22 km
- Meeran Mosque Mosque, 0 km
- Aayi Mandapam Monument, 1 km
- Kaliveli Lake Lake, 21 km
- Ousteri Lake Lake, 10 km
- Varadaraja Perumal Temple Temple, 1 km
- Chandramouleeswar temple, Thiruvakkarai Temple, 22 km
- Vadukeeswarar temple Temple, 19 km
- Abirameswarar temple Temple, 40 km
- Thiruvanthipuram temple Temple, 24 km
- Arasaleeswarar temple Temple, 15 km
- French War Memorial Monument, 1 km
- Promenade Beach Beach, 1 km
- Bahour Lake Lake, 15 km
- National Fossil Wood Park, Tiruvakkarai Garden, 22 km
- Our Lady of Angels Church Temple, 0 km
- Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine Temple, 8 km
- Jagannatha Perumal temple Temple, 29 km
And 21 more on our Puducherry map.
Food to try in and around Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Puducherry favourites to look out for.
- Coconut curry
- Soya dosa
- Stuffed cabbage
- Podanlangkai chutney
The full food passport, state by state.
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