How to reach
Nearest Airport is Chennai 135 kms away.
It is connected by rail to Villupuram, 36 kms away which connects to Chennai.
Pondicherry is well connected with Chennai and Bangalore. Buses ply from Chennai every 30 minutes.
About Pondicherry
As the capital of erstwhile French settlements in India, Pondicherry has ywo distinct faces, and for a visitor the differences are startling. While the Bay of Bengal runs all along the coast of the tiny city, it is Ville Blanche (white city) where the sea suddenly looks like the French Riviera. The Tamil part though is like any other small town in Southern India.
In Ville Blanche clean well paved perpendicular roads take on an old world charm which is enhanced by immaculately maintained French style houses. Splendid examples of Gothic architecture line the roads that are regularly patrolled by policemen in Gendarme type French hats and uniforms. Even the quaint street lamps are true blue French. Pondicherry's uniqueness lies in its streetscape comprising rows of French monuments and statues.
A statue of Joseph Francois Dupleix Pondicherry's most famous governer may not surprise you but where in India can you spot a life sized statue of Joan of Arc. For those wanting to give history and architecture a slip there is a lot else to do here. Stroll along its sunkissed beaches or enjoy some authentic French cuisine coupled with some unique shopping options. Most vistors either head to a bar (alcohol is cheaper here compared to Chennai) or stop over at one of the boutique hotels that cater to varying budgets. In the heart of Ville Blanche at Rue de la Caserne you can find Le Dupleix hotel which was constructed in the 18th century as the residence of the mayor of Pondicherry.
Now a stylish luxury hotel its landmark of sorts in Ville Blanche. Another hotel worth checking out is teh Promenade, India's first hotel built by a fashion label. Conceptulised by Dilip Kapur the owner og Hidedesign leather wear this hotel boasts some fine examplesof French design made in India.
Some 10 kms away from Pondicherry at poornankuppam village is the Kailash Beach Resort. equipped with every possible luxury you may desire during a holiday it offers ample space to just be your own. Sandwiched betweeen the sea and the river this resort spread aross 8 acres of land. If you are looking for the best French food in town your search ends at Le Dupleix's fine dining restaurant. Must haves are Ravioli on fungi, Dorado fillets steamed in Banana leaf and Roesti. But dont gorge on the main course as chef Kumar's desserts are sinfully delicious. Last but not the least a visit to the Auroville bakery is a must. Be it pain au chocolate, croissant or cookies every product in the bakery is made under strict supervision of expert French bakers who are residents of Auroville.
Beaches in Pondicherry
Most of the beaches are a little away from the town except for small stretch of sand behind Seagulls restaurant on Goubert Avenue. However this stretch is not as popular because of its lack of accessibility and security.
Promenade
The 1.5 km long promenade running along the beach is the pride of puducherry. There one can relax or take a stroll at any time of the day. On the sea front are several land marks. The War memorial cold and dispassionate throbbing the memory of last dreams, the statue of Joan of Arc blazing an inspiration, the heritage town hall, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi standing tall, Dupleix statue, old light house, the remains of the old pier, the old customs house, speak the splendor of the by gone era. The well furnished tourist information centre is situated in esthetically heritage building facing the sea to cater to the need of visiting tourists.
Paradise Beach
Located 8 kms. from the town, along the Cuddalore Main Road this beach can be accessed from the Chunnambar Resort. Flanked by a quiet flowing creek on one side, the beach can only be accessed by boat
Serenity beach
This beach is a ten minutes drive to the north of the town. This virgin beach, with its serene surroundings is an ideal place to laze away your day.
Auroville Beach
The Auroville Beach as the name indicates is close to Auroville. It is right off the ECR, opposite the road leading to Auroville. Located around 12 kms from the main puducherry town, its shallow waters and small waves make it an ideal place of swimming. It is a fairly popular destination on weekends. On weekdays it is relatively less crowded.
