French Riviera of the East

Discover Puducherry

Affectionately known as Pondy by locals, Puducherry is a small city packed to the brim with unique experiences, from the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram consisting of over 400 buildings across town to the gorgeous selection of white sandy beaches. The city earns its nickname ‘Paris of the East’ through White Town, the city’s historic French Quarter, with its distinct bougainvillea-draped yellow buildings and grid of wide cobbled streets.

Things to do in Puducherry

If you’re after unique experiences in a unique setting, then Puducherry is the place for you. The union of French Riviera elegance and South Indian charisma is quite the exclusive pairing, but that’s only a small part of what makes a visit to Puducherry so wonderful.

• Foodie Heaven – Puducherry offers many restaurants to choose from, offering an exciting fusion of French and Indian cuisines. If fusion isn’t your thing, then steak and untaxed beer are also on offer
• Diver’s Delight – The underwater visibility in Puducherry is excellent making it the perfect home to the only Padi-certified diving centre on the east coast of India. Why not hang out 20m below sea level with friendly manta rays soaring above you and bright coral and crustaceans sit below you? If you’d prefer to stay above the water line, many local companies also offer fishing expeditions and water sports
• Yoga retreats are also extremely popular in this area, so it’s the perfect spot to dip your toe into yoga and meditation – or fully immerse yourself if you’re already a yogi.
• Gandhi Memorial – Surrounded by eight magnificent granite pillars, the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Puducherry is a beautiful commemoration. Throughout the year, many cultural, musical and commercial activities take place in the square in front, known as Gandhi Thidal.

The best way to see Puducherry

If you would like to visit Puducherry, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA protected holidays?  Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you.