PONDICHERRYTRAVEL GUIDE

Pondicherry lies within an oval boulevard which girdles the entire town, with streets laid out running east to west, bisected by streets running from north to south. Places of interest include the Raj Nivas, residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry, a handsome 200-year old building which was once the residence of the redoubtable Marquis Joseph-Francois Dupleix, the builder of Pondicherry. Visit the Romain Rolland Library with over 60,000 volumes of rate French and English books on its shelves. The Pondicherry Museum has an outstanding collection of artifacts, especially relating to all aspects of the French Indian past and retains a French ambiance. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Gothic in style and serene in atmosphere, has three large stained-glass panels that tell the life of Jesus and many arches that span the nave. The Botanical Gardens were set up in 1826 and have grown over the decades to become one of the best botanical gardens in the South, with unusual and exotic plants from all over the country and abroad. The Church of Notre Dame des Anges, built around 1865, is a striking structure with twin square towers and houses a rare oil painting gifted by Napoleon III. The Institute of Indology was established in the mid 1950s and is today an internationally renowned research organization providing an abiding link between France and India. Ananda Ranga Pillai’s House, architecturally a fusion of the French and Indian styles, is a graceful building, lavishly furnished and decorated, which has been converted into a museum. Spend time at the Aurobindo Ashram which is the best known landmark of Pondicherry. Overnight Hotel Pondicherry Ashok.

How to Reach Pondicherry

Located in South India, Pondicherry is very well connected to the rest of the country and most major cities in the world via a good air, rail and road network.

How to Reach Pondicherry by Flight

Pondicherry can be reached by air from the Puducherry Airport at Lawspet. Another option would be the Karaikal Airport. Nearest Airport: Chennai Airport - 125 kms from Pondicherry

How to Reach Pondicherry by Road

A road trip to Pondicherry is a dream for every traveller because of the exotic scenery. However, there are various buses that connect Pondicherry to Chennai, Trichy, Bangalore, Coimbatore etc.

How to Reach Pondicherry by Train

The Villupuram Railway Junction connects Pondicherry to the rest of India via rail.

What is the best time to visit Pondicherry?

Pondicherry is best enjoyed during the months of October to March as the temperature usually ranges between 15 - 30 degree celcius. Over the years, Pondicherry has truly been the gem of South India and an ideal vacation spot. Summers (April-June) are quite hot and the temperature touches 40 degree Celsius occasionally. Monsoons (July-September) is also a good time to visit Pondicherry despite the rainfalls. However, the best time to visit Pondicherry varies from person to person as the place transforms itself every season and celebrates a range of festivals which interest a lot of tourists.

Famous Food in Pondicherry

The food in Pondicherry is outlined with a dominant influence of the French cuisine, especially in its elements and styles. A lot of restaurants serve authentic French food - definitely the best place in India for French cuisine. Some of the popular items here are Baguettes, Croissants, Italian Baked Beans, Stuffed Cabbage and many more.