Pondicherry

Karaikal beach: One of the most-visited beaches in Pondy is Karaikal and for good reason. You can relax and take the canoe out for a ride on the calm waters, while watching the sun go down. Or if you feel like it, indulge in a game of beach volleyball on the pristine stretch of sand of this beach.

The seafront: Beach Road makes for an amazing piece of land to stroll upon and take in the sea breeze. The city council has even banned traffic here from 6 pm to 7:30 am, making this area perfect for beach bums and romantics.

The French Quarter: Like the name suggests, this is the part of town that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into yesteryear France. You will find the quarter nestled just behind the seafront, flaunting its pretty cobbled streets and Caribbean style townhouses. French-style architecture is a common sight in Pondy and so are many French residents.

Auroville: The City of Dawn as it is also known as, Auroville is an experimental township founded in 1968. It was founded by Mirra Alfassa, known to her disciples as ‘the Mother’ and the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo Ghose. Soil from 124 countries was kept in an urn to signify universal oneness and brotherhood. Auroville is a township that features a mix of modern western and traditional Indian architecture.

Pondicherry Museum: This museum features a marvellous collection of statuettes and sculptures, and is home to extensive remains of archaeological findings. Watch out especially for the Chola, Vijayanagar and Nayak bronzes and pieces of Greek and Spanish pottery and storage vessels.

Botanical Gardens: The Botanical Gardens was established by the French in 1826 and makes for a smattering of greenery in the southwest side of the town. Sprawling over an extensive stretch of land, this garden is a lovely retreat for visitors from the oppressive heat of the town. The Botanical Gardens feature a children’s train, fountains, Japanese rock and an aquarium.

Bharathi Park: This Park is the “green centre” of the town. It has a famous monument called Aayi Mandapam, located at the centre of Bharathi Park. This park is also significant because it is surrounded by the town’s most important institutions, like the Lt. Governor’s Palace, the Legislative Assembly, Government Hospital, etc.