Puducherry

Travel Guide

Pondicherry featuring a sandy beach
Pondicherry showing religious aspects
Pondicherry which includes food
Pondicherry featuring a statue or sculpture
Pondicherry which includes general coastal views

Tour an attractive city on the Bay of Bengal known as the French Riviera of the East for its Gallic culture, cuisine and buildings.

From the cuisine and culture to colonial-style villas and street names, French influences are easily glimpsed in Pondicherry. The coastal town was under the control of France until 1954. Many people in Pondicherry still speak French and in some of the restaurants you can find French specialties. The town is officially called Puducherry, the original Tamil name, but it is still widely referred to as Pondicherry, or “Pondy.” A visit there will reward you with beautiful architecture, beaches and a delightful mix of Eastern and Western culture.

Start your exploration of the picturesque city by visiting some of its old churches, including the 18th-century Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Church of Our Lady of Angels. Go to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for its stained-glass windows that depict the life of Jesus. Tour the town’s other religious buildings including Hindu temples and the Meeran Mosque that dates back to the 17th century.

Head to Promenade Beach for sunbathing and water sports. Swim, go fishing from a catamaran or book a scuba diving lesson. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade where you can see statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Joan of Arc. 

Those who are into nature will appreciate a walk through the Botanical Garden. It was established in 1826 and is home to rare species of plants, a musical fountain, birds and a children’s train. For something a little different, take a Bollywood dance class or massage workshop at the Sita Cultural Center.

Save some time for a visit to Auroville, a small enclave located just outside of Pondicherry. It was established as a universal town where people of all faiths and backgrounds from dozens of countries can live in harmony. Among the architectural highlights is the large, gold-coloured geodesic dome called the Matrimandir. The structure’s spacious inner chamber is for people who want to sit quietly and meditate.

Pondicherry lies on the Bay of Bengal and can be reached by plane, train and car. There are also bus services from several cities, including Bangalore and Madurai.

Where to stay in Puducherry

Pondicherry Lighthouse showing a lighthouse

Pondicherry Beach

Travelers like the monuments in Pondicherry Beach, and Pondicherry Lighthouse is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Pondicherry Beach
Pondicherry showing religious aspects

White Town

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

White Town is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Pondicherry Promenade Beach and Pondicherry Lighthouse.

White Town
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Heritage Town

4/5(3 area reviews)

Visitors to Heritage Town enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Kanniga Parameswari Temple is worth a stop.

Heritage Town
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Balamurugan Nagar

While Balamurugan Nagar isn't home to many top sights, Sacred Heart of Jesus and Sacred Heart Church are some notable places to visit nearby.

Balamurugan Nagar
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Bharathidasan Nagar

Though Bharathidasan Nagar might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Botanical Gardens and Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Bharathidasan Nagar
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Mothilal Nagar

While there might not be top attractions in Mothilal Nagar, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Sacred Heart of Jesus and Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple.

Mothilal Nagar
Accord Puducherry

Accord Puducherry

4.5 out of 5
No.1 Thilagar nagar, Ellaipillaichavady, Puducherry, Pondicherry
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$2,022 per night from Aug 13 to Aug 14
NT$2,022
NT$2,366 total
Aug 13 - Aug 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Puducherry. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Ousteri Lake and Botanical Gardens are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (211 reviews)
"Loved it. Will visit afain"

Reviewed on 2025/7/27

Accord Puducherry
Vasavi Residenzcy

Vasavi Residenzcy

2 out of 5
163 Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Puducherry, PY
Stay at this hotel in Puducherry. Enjoy a 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Kanniga Parameswari Temple and Sri ...
"The room I booked through Hotels.com was unavailable, and Vasavi Residenzy informed us that they had no association with the booking. They asked us to pay ₹4,000 for one night if we still needed the room."

Reviewed on 2025/1/6

Vasavi Residenzcy
The Promenade Pondicherry

The Promenade Pondicherry

4 out of 5
23 Goubert Avenue Pondicherry - 605 001, Puducherry, Pondicherry
The price is NT$3,217 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
NT$3,217
NT$3,796 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Puducherry. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Pondicherry Museum and Pondicherry ...
7.6/10 Good! (144 reviews)
"Overall condition is good! Access to the beach was an added attraction. Lack of parking is a handicap!"

Reviewed on 2025/6/22

The Promenade Pondicherry
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
FRANCO TAMIL VILLAS

FRANCO TAMIL VILLAS

3.5 out of 5
Murungapakkam, Puducherry, PY
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly villa in Puducherry. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Eglise de Sacre Coeur ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Feels like traditional home. New renovated and well maintained property. Mangrove water boating nearby. Responsible staff members. Overall good"

Reviewed on 2025/4/24

FRANCO TAMIL VILLAS
SRI APARTMENT HOMESTAY 2BHK

SRI APARTMENT HOMESTAY 2BHK

2 out of 5
163 2nd Cross St RANGA NAGAR Moolakulam, Puducherry, PY
Stay at this apartment in Puducherry. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Ousteri Lake and Botanical Gardens are ...
SRI APARTMENT HOMESTAY 2BHK
Residence De L'eveche - CGH Earth

Residence De L'eveche - CGH Earth

3.5 out of 5
Door No.1,Ward D, Block 31, Puducherry, Puducherry
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Puducherry. Enjoy free breakfast, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges ...
"After looking at the other CGH property, we had lot of expectation. But it was completely disappointment. The area outside the property entrance has exposed driange canals. The gutter smell, mosquitoes really made us ponder why we chose this over the over. The property was well maintained. Inside ..."

Reviewed on 2024/9/4

Residence De L'eveche - CGH Earth
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Puducherry