Pondicherry

Understand

thumb|French Memorial on Beach Road Pondicherry, though small in geographical size, was the largest French colony in India. The city has a long and interesting history of trade and war. It is also known as The French Riviera of the East (La Côte d'Azur de l'Est). If you have spent some time in Tamil Nadu and approached Pondicherry by land, you will very likely experience mild culture shock on discovering French architecture and restaurants serving steak and good wine. Pondicherry is very much a city with a dual personality: crossing the central canal from the east to the west reveals two different cities with very different characters.

Get in

thumb|Pondicherry has managed to retain its French flavour, as shown by this photo of a local traffic policeman on duty: Note kepi, the Charles de Gaulle-style cap

See

thumb|Aayi Mandapam, Bharathi Park

Do

There is not much one is expected to do at Pondicherry. You would understand this better once you get there and understand the pace of life. You can also do some serious meditation at the Auroville, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, or go to Bharatanatyam performances that are often organized there by the Auroville Cultural Exchange in the local temples, or at major hotels. You can also go fishing in a Catamaran or while away your evenings at Rocky Beach. You can also hire scooters (mopeds) and go on long drives to the sandy beaches that dot the coastline.

You can also experience staying in a traditional 'Parapachai' house - an affectionate name given by connoisseurs to traditional green-coloured houses. First-class experience.

Buy

Handmade paper - The range of colours and scope of textures of Pondicherry's homemade paper is marketed all over the world. Leather - Making leather meticulously is what separates Pondicherry from the rest of the cities in India. Well-polished and innovative products with quality brass buckles are available at reasonable prices here. Pottery - Pondicherry is known for artisan and ceramic work. Different shops offer distinctive styles such as Rhinestone Art and Golden Bridge. Textile and clothes - Pondicherry has been involved in producing garment textiles and household items for a long time. There are also plenty of stores which sell T-shirts and some well-known types of clothes at surprisingly low rates.

Eat

Pondicherry is known for its wide variety of cuisines ranging from South Indian delicacies like idly and dosa to seafood like fried fish, prawn bajji and parota.

French influence can be seen to some extent in the local food. The best options are still the local delicacies; the excellent seafood. Good French food is available at restaurants around the French part of town. Anjappar, Near Jeeva Theater Signal. Open every day. Aristo, Nehru Street. Nice terrace on the roof of the hotel; good French and Indian food. Batisto, ECR Road, Next to D Gowda Petrol Bunk, Behind Laloo's puntcher shop. Hot Breads, Nehru St, a pleasant European bakery. Rendezvous, 30, Rue Suffren. Closed on Tuesdays. Satsanga, 30, Labourdonnais. Open every day. Sri Murugan Cafe, No. 160, Kosakada Street opposite Municipality Central Parking Place. Veg-only Indian restaurant with great dosas. You might be the only tourist here for weeks. ₹25-50. Surguru, at the corner of Sardar Vallabhai Patel Rd and East coast Road, in the basement of the hotel. Has delicious Indian food, At breakfast time try the delicious poori or paper roast (paper dosai).

Drink

There are a multitude of liquor shops and wineshops around the city, perhaps owing to the French influence. Alcohol in Pondicherry is not taxed as it is in Chennai and is therefore significantly cheaper. At a takeaway shop, a beer should cost around ₹80-100 (as of 2017).

Good branded liquor like Smirnoff, Bacardi and different Scotch whiskies are very inexpensive as there is no sales tax in Pondicherry.

Stay safe

Always carry passport with you and put a sticky note inside it with the phone number of your travel consultant. Never pay anyone upfront, especially to agents or drivers.

Never exchange money with unauthorized foreign exchange dealers. Ask for a receipt after exchanging money with the broker.

Don't get trapped in the narcotics trading, as no one wants to end the journey in prison. Switch off your mobile phones while in museums, temples and churches or they will be confiscated.

Go next

Auroville — Nearby township, often visited as part of a visit to Pondy. A tuktuk should cost around ₹200 and a taxi ₹400 (2017). Kanchipuram — The City of Thousand Temples and it belongs to 2nd or 3rd century. Today, it is mainly known for its high quality silks. Kochi — The financial and cultural capital of Kerala. Overnight sleeper buses cost ₹1000-1500 (2017) and take 9-12 hours. Mamallapuram — Nestled along the Bay of Bengal, it was seventh century port of Pallava kings. Several cave temples are carved here from Granite hill which belongs to fifth and eighth centuries. Tiruvannamalai — Known as fifth Hindu element of fire, it is located around 107 km from Pondicherry and ranks as one of the pilgrim city in Tamil Nadu. Its name meaning ‘Red Mountain’ came from the extinct of Volcano, Arunachala.