5 things to do in Pondicherry

There’s something very laid back and slow about this French town of the East – Pondicherry or Puducherry like it is now called. The French colonized this town some decades ago and there are still telltale signs of it – Architecture, street names, food and just the overall feel.

We spent a weekend here and this town with its quaint beauty is so small that you can easily cover everything in 2 days. Pondicherry is not for partying, pubs or nightlife. It’s for you to get lost in the streets, find yourself staring at the beach for hours, probably introspect and for eating some good food. Pondicherry’s Tourism slogan is “Give time a break”. Need I say more?

The main town is like an oval split into 2 parts – The Tamil Area and the French Area. The White town/French part of town is your best bet for staying, eating and walking around.

How to reach Pondicherry

We took an overnight train to Chennai Central. From there we took a local bus to Koyambedu bus stand. At the bus station, you will find regular buses plying to Pondicherry. It’s almost a 4 hour journey. Get down at the Pondicherry main bus station. From there take a rickshaw to the White town (which is around 2 kms away). Pondicherry town as a whole is very small so don’t be surprised if the auto drivers charge you 100 INR for a 2 km ride. Haggle all you can!

Moving around Pondicherry

Though Pondicherry is small enough to enjoy by foot, you can also rent bicycles or scooters (and the better choice instead of rickshaws). We rented a 2 wheeler because we wanted to cover every inch of every street in the White town.

5 things to do in Pondicherry

Explore the streets

Mansions that take back you the French times, brightly colored walls and graffiti, huge white windows with black grills, charming cafes and pink bougainvillea. Explore all the streets in a zig zag motion and you will be pleased to find surprises at every nook and corner. Rue La Bourdonnais, Rue Bussy and Rue Suffren are some of the fancy names (Rue means street).

Stay at any of the heritage buildings that have been converted into homestays

We chose the Les Hibiscus Homestay at Rue Suffren which is the ancestral home of Mr. Bascarane and his wife. This home is around 120 years. Each room, space and corner is tastefully decorated and filled with antiques and old woodwork. The rooms have high ceilings, huge doors, terracotta floors and heirloom teak furniture. Les Hibiscus has also been featured on Conde Nast Traveller’s India’s 20 most-charming B&Bs.

Walk along the Beach road/Promenade road/Goubert Avenue

Vehicles are prohibited on this road from evening to morning. Catch the rocky beach and roaring waves in all its glory.

Get to Serenity beach north of the town

Just 7 kms away from the town is the Serenity beach (In Google Maps you can locate it as GULKAND HOUSE, Serenity Beach). It is a clean sandy beach; a living beach actually, with fishermen in huts, boats and fishing nets ready to go. You can find a few beach shacks though.

Eat!

You will find a lot of amazing food in Pondicherry. Here are some amazing eats.

Hot Cocoa with edible chocolate spoon at Zuka Choco La, Mission street

Chicken Cordon Bleu at The Promenade – A Hidesign Hotel, Goubert Ave * Flan and Mille feuille at Baker Street, Bussy street

Roast chicken and Fish ‘n chips at Rendezvous, Rue Suffren

Masala Milk (More like rasmalai in a glass!!) at KBS Kofi Barr, Beach Branch

I hope you liked this Pondicherry travel guide! 🙂