As much as we would love to backpack our way through the small towns of France, even the thought of that leaves our pockets clenched. But do not worry, India tourism has us covered.
A short 3 hour drive from Chennai, the town of Puducherry is covered in most of the South India tourism packages. With striking hues of yellows and blues adorning the walls of the once a popular French colony, it provides a window in the past. With one of its ends in the Indian Ocean and the other one in the forests of coastal India, Pondicherry is the best place to be, round the year.
We often speak of Indian beaches not being not clean enough, or too crowded for us to have a relaxing time there. But this is not the case with the beaches in Puducherry, owing to the locals and the administration of the place. Especially the Promenade, which is a rocky beach, with the sea waves embracing the black rocks.
Best explored on a bicycle ride, the tour starts from the Aurobindo Ashram. In the market place adjoining the ashram one can easily rent a bicycle for the day, and some India holiday packages include it as an activity too, so you won’t have to pay extra for it. Pondicherry boasts of being one of those small towns where everything you need to make your trip memorable is within reach. You’ll find wine shops, seafood restaurants and a store to buy beach attire in the same market.
The French War memorial and French Consulate are a must visit to soak in the colonial architecture and learn about the rich history of the place. The streets of Pondicherry are adorned with attractive colours and little French balconies and windows overlooking the street. Your best bet if you want to live a day in the book of this cultural heritage is to book your place at a home stay right in the centre of the town. Ask if your tour package can be built around the homestay.
Another place that cannot be missed is the township of Auroville at the edge of town. Take a walk along the site and witness Earth’s most sustainable buildings and harmonic landscapes, and also visit the iconic Matrimandir that stands right in the centre of the town. Some Indian tours take people around the township in electric cars as well. But make sure to have your bite at a French Croissant and some filter coffee before you leave.
The violet dawn turns to the red dusk in the blink of an eye here, fitting in as many colors as it can. Pondicherry is a place that has stopped time and preserved the marks of anything that touched it, right from the architecture, culture, and cuisine
Please feel free to get in touch with us for absolutely anything you want to know and we will be glad to responds.
