//
Capital city of the Indian Union Territory of Pondicherry
Photo: Sanyam Bahga, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pondicherry (Tamil: புதுச்சேரி Putucceri, French: Pondichéry), also known as Puducherry or Pondy, is a city in Southern India. There is a strong French influence on the architecture of the city, especially in the old quarters, with rues and boulevards lined with Mediterranean-style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much Indian. French is still understood, and the whole city makes for a pleasant mix of the East and the West.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
There's a white monument at the centre of the park called Aayi Mandapam. It was built during the time of Napoleon III. The monument commemorates the provision of water to the French city during his reign. It was named after a lady courtesan named Āyi. She destroyed her own house to erect a water reservoir to supply water to the city.
You can take a motorboat to Paradise Beach from here. It is crowded on holidays and weekends.
Oussudu Lake
The largest lake of Pondicherry and home to around 200 species of birds. About 40 species of migratory birds visit the sanctuary after November annually, including golden oriole, open-bill stork, tailor bird, painted stork, white ibis, white-breasted water-hen and spotted owlets. The lake also has boats run by PTDC.
A nice park, though a little in disarray. An aquarium, maintained by the Directorate of Fisheries, is also a must-see while in the garden.
A lighthouse was constructed in Pondicherry in the nineteenth century by the French rulers. A new lighthouse was constructed in the 20th century by the Government of India.
A war memorial dedicated to the French Indians who died for the country during the First World War. A bronze plaque lists the names of soldiers who died during the First World War. Further plaques were added, listing the names of soldiers who died during World War II, the French War in Indochina and the Algerian War. The monument remains the property of France.
An art and history museum with its collection of fine lost wax bronzes from the Chola period.
The Science Demonstration Corner conducts live demonstrations and experiments to groups of visitors and students. The Children's Corner offers simple experiments for children. A workshop equipped with tools and tackles is provided for maintenance of the exhibits and development of new ones.
One of the most common reason to visit Pondicherry is to visit this ashram of the spiritual leader Sri Aurobindo. It grew out of a small community of disciples who had gathered around Sri Aurobindo after he settled in Pondicherry in 1910. On 24 November 1926, after a major spiritual realisation, Sri Aurobindo withdrew from public view in order to continue his spiritual work. At this time he handed over the full responsibility for the inner and outer lives of the sadhaks (spiritual aspirants) and the ashram to his spiritual collaborator, Mirra Alfassa, better known as "The Mother".
Tamil: தூய இருதய ஆண்டவர் பசிலிக்கா Tuya Irutaya Āṇṭavar Patilikkā, French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Jésus
An oriental specimen of Gothic Revival architecture. It contains rare stained glass panels depicting events from the life of Christ and saints of the Catholic Church. It is also one of the most famous pilgrimage spots for Christians.
Tamil: தூய அமலோற்பவ அன்னை பேராலயம் Tuya Amalōṟpava Pērālayam, French: Cathédrale de l'Immaculée-Conception; also known as Samba Kovil (சம்பா கோயில்)
The mother church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. Established in 1791, the church has been demolished and rebuilt multiple times. The mass is conducted in Tamil and English.
French: Église Notre-Dame des Agnes
Locally known as "Dumas Church", the Roman Catholic church was built in 1855 with a Greco-Roman architectural style. Its masses are conducted in French, English and Tamil. Other than pilgrimage, the church area provides stunning sea views.
French: Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes
A Catholic Marian shrine and a parish church.
Another popular Roman Catholic church in the city. The original structure was built in Gothic architecture in 1745 by Kanakaraya Mudali, the longest serving dubash of the French East India Company. During the opening of the church, Mudali hosted a feast that included all castes and religions, the first of its kind that is recorded in the history of South India. It is believed that the church was destroyed by the British in 1761 and was later rebuilt in 1830. It has hourly prayers and daily services.
Villianur Temple, Thirukameeswarar Temple
A Shiva temple where Shiva is worshiped as Kameeswarar and his consort Parvati is depicted as Kokilamba Amman. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Kameeswarar, his consort KokilambaAmman and Ranganathar being the most prominent. The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, with later additions from different ruling dynasties.
Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, it is a popular pilgrimage site and tourist destination in Pondicherry due to its proximity to Promenade Beach.
A Shiva temple, which was once destroyed by French invaders in 1748 and was later reconstructed by Dewan Kandappa Mudaliar with public contributions.
The latter is a factory outlet of the former.
A beach known for its white sands, clear waters, and surrounding coconut groves.Activities include swimming, jet skiing, kayaking, nature trails, bird watching, etc. There are also facilities like relaxation in sit-out areas and umbrella huts.
You need to hire a motorboat for pick up and drop to the beach from Chunnambar Boat house which will cost you around ₹200.
Pondicherry Beach
A 1.2-kilometre-long stretch in Pondicherry, which starts from War Memorial and ends at Dupleix Park on Goubert Avenue.
Scuba diving club. There is a great range of corals, lion fish, grouper, kingfish, moray eels, eagle and manta rays, parrot fish, sea snakes, triggerfish, butterflies, angels, bannerfish, crustaceans, and if you're lucky, even sharks, whale sharks, turtles and dolphins.
It can take care of all emergencies including road traffic accidents which are attended mostly free of cost.
One of the oldest libraries in India.
Fantastic south Indian food. Very reasonably priced. Try out the 6 feet family masala dosa ghee roast.
At the rooftop of Hotel Corbelli on Mission St, this authentic Italian restaurant's chef is from Bologna, and the food is fantastic.
Opens at 5AM, delicious variety of typical south Indian dishes. Very cheap, popular with locals, not touristy.
Nellithope. Multi-cuisine restaurant, good for Chettinad food. Also, try the French onion soup.
Multi-cuisine restaurant. Open garden and covered area with sea brees.
Fresh French food in a peaceful environment. Free Wi-Fi.
This restaurant serves Pizza and other Italian delights. Seems to be managed by a French person, food was good. Prices are reasonable, but the quantities are smaller.
Small, cosy, clean chocolate shop on Mission St. Also features chocolate cakes, coffees, etc. A bit on the expensive side.
A colonial era style cafe. Excellent coffee. Indian and continental cuisine
Open since 1972. Excellent South Indian coffee. Mostly take away. Small sitting area. Simple veggie meals
Water-front cafe. Excellent coffee. Desserts. Meals
French Italian Indian Vietnamese
Wonderful garden restaurant with a high class bar and chill out atmosphere, but slightly overrated and quite expensive.
Nice bar that organizes musical concerts occasionally. They sell imported beer.
Reasonable little place, quite well located for beach access, bars, and wandering potential, and with a rooftop bar. Good selection of cheap beers: ₹80 for an 8% Tuborg.
info@fullmoonguesthouse.com
The guest house has seven unique AC Double twin bed rooms with attached bathroom. Five out of the seven rooms come with an equipped kitchen (refrigerator, electric stove, kitchen utensils, free wireless internet, free self-service washing machine, hot water, etc.) It is possible also to rent a room or studio apartment for weeks or months.
Book in advance, if you don't want to be disappointed. The guest houses are very clean. Very strict too. No liquor, smoking, or eating non-vegetarian food. Park Guest House is on the beach with nice lawns looking upon the sea while Sea Side Guest House is on the beach road and most rooms have a nice sea view. A choice of Continental and Indian breakfast is free in both guest houses. There is also a nice new budget guest house (New Guest House) very close to the beach, with a canteen.
Large, clean hotel in the main shopping area. Rooms with TV with some English channels. French bakery 2 min walk. Sea 10 min walk.
This ten room guesthouse owned by a French expat has hot water and a mini-fridge in every room. Peaceful location, windows in every room, popular place for backpackers.
Nice and clean hotel with all the basic amenities, coconut leaf cottages. Sea shore is 100 m walk. A/c rooms available.
Excellent ambiance and very professionally run hotel. It's more of an IT company-like environment with utmost hygiene. Has a 24-hour coffee shop too.
Nice and clean hotel with all the basic amenities. Centralised A/C keeps the heat at bay. Morning breakfast buffet is included in the cost price.
24 rooms on two floors, conference facilities, restaurant.
24 rooms (Thai, Luxury and Standard), spacious and clean hotel on hills planted with mangoes and cashew trees. Spa swimming pool and multi-cuisine restaurant added.
A guesthouse with suites and rooms which are equipped with flat screen televisions, intercom and mini bars. Every room has an attached bathroom with hot and cold water facility and individually controlled air-conditioning.
60 rooms and suites.
Though not next to or at the Promenade/Beach or near Aurobindo Ashram or in the French Quarter, it is within 2 km of all places of interest. It has its own parking lot, good rooms and suites, 24-hour coffee shop, and one of the best South Indian restaurants in the city.
Cleanliness and service up to nice USA/European hotel standards. Not in the centre/touristy area of Pondicherry. You must arrange an auto-rickshaw (for approx. ₹1700) to get to the tourist area by the beach. Nice tasty free buffet breakfast of South Indian foods for ₹250.
Excellent resort, managed by the Mahindra Group, is 11 km from Pondicherry on the Cuddalore road. The resort also serves great food.
By coach
There are many coaches connecting to Pondicherry from a variety of cities. Getting to Pondicherry involves a 3½-hour road journey from Chennai by bus.
By train
Bengaluru Yesvantapur (YPR) to Pondicherry (PDY) is connected by a 3-tier AC train called Garib Rath Express.
By plane
Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the nearest international airport, approximately 135 km from Pondicherry. Chennai is nicely connected to major cities in India as well as abroad.
By bus or shared auto-rickshaw
The Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has daily bus services for tourists and it covers all the important tourist spots to be seen in Pondicherry.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Puducherry (Pondicherry) · Regional · PNY
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Pondicherry and India.
Travel tipsExplore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Travel tipsSpot and avoid common tourist scams in India, including fake train ticket offices, closed hotel lies, rigged auto-rickshaws, and temple donation tricks.
8 min read
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
6 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in India, from Delhi monuments and the Taj Mahal in Agra to Jaipur forts, sacred Varanasi ghats, and Kerala backwaters.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.