Puducherry

A French colonial settlement until 1954, Puducherry (or Pondicherry) proudly displays its continental heritage. Affectionately referred to as ‘Pondy’ it boasts a much more tranquil stay than frenetic Chennai. The French Quarter in particular is awash with quaint boutiques lining the neatly cobbled streets. Our pick of the best places to stay in Puducherry provide the best in character and cuisine.

Capturing the laid back bohemian feel of the city the Old Town is in our opinion the best place to stay. Not suffering from the ubiquitous congestion of other Indian cities, why not hop on your bike for a great way to explore the town.

Set back from the seafront, begin at Goubert Avenue before cycling along the promenade passing crumbling churches and temples along the way.

Thanks to the French missionaries Puducherry boasts some of the country's best collections of cathedrals. From the eldest, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, completed in 1791, to the lavish Sacred Heart Basilica, both are well worth a visit. You cannot miss the twin towers and dome of the Notre Dame des Anges.

Another welcome hangover from the French is the excellent cuisine. Satsanga in particular serves some excellent fusion cuisine, whilst La Pasta does what it says on the tin and is ideal if you are just after some comfort food.

Whether or not you are interested in the art of meditation, a visit to nearby Auroville is a must to witness the impressive gilded orb (reminiscent of a giant golden golf ball) around which the ashram is situated. Excellent locally made cheese, jams and handicrafts are also sold here.

Further afield, if you fancy an utterly relaxed beach break then Nagapattinam is as peaceful as it gets and foodies will appreciate a visit to Chettinad: the culinary capital of Tamil Nadu.

Around a four-hour drive from Pondicherry, Tanjore is worth a nights stay if you are interested in its well-stocked museums and historic temples.

What not to miss:

• Visit the peaceful surrounds of Sri Aurobindo's ashram.
• Make a trip to Auroville and experience an enlightening session in the giant gold Matramandir.
• Take a sunset stroll along the promenade and try the delicious street food.
• The Puducherry Museum offers an interesting insight to the city's past.
• Explore the seas during a scuba diving excursion.

Our pick of the best places to stay in Puducherry all reflect the culture of the region whilst providing a comfortable stay.

For a character stay

• Evocative of the character of the region Maison Perumal does so in a traditional manner
• Villa Shanti juxtaposes traditional décor with modern accents. Boutique hotel fans will love both.
• Le Dupleix is ideal for those looking for character. Think black and white tiled floors, period exterior and four poster beds.
• Le Chatuau is located in Pondicherry's quaint French Quarter and maintains its original charm.

For foodies

• Famed for its restaurant serving a blend of Creole and Continental dishes, Hotel de l’Orient is known throughout the town.

For a romantic getaway

• With just six rooms, all made for lingering, expansive bathrooms, private terraces and candlelit dinners La Villa is designed for romance. Treat that special someone to an unforgettable stay.
• Palais de Mahe oozes colonial charm plus it boasts a pool for cooling off after a day's exploring.

For value

• The Nineteenth century family home, Hotel de Pondicherry, now turned welcoming guesthouse stay is a charming option and comes at a great rate too!
• Mango Hill is simple yet chic, the rooms feature private balconies overlooking a sparkling pool. This bijoux property has many of the facilities of a resort hotel: a spa, pool and great food, all for a fraction of the cost.

For an apartment or villa

• If you've decided that a self catering property would be more suitable for your holiday, then we recommend you visit our online booking partner Booking.com where they have a wide selection for all tastes and budgets.

Travel information

• Fly to Chennai Airport, well connected both internationally and across India. Puducherry lies 135km South of Chennai.
• By train, Puducherry is connected to Chennai by an electric broad gauge railway line through Villupuram. There are 2 passenger trains running daily to Chennai Egmore Railway station and Tirupati and there is a weekly express train service to Bhubaneswar. In addition to this, there is also a daily express train to Chennai Egmore. Driving is however faster than the train from Chennai.
• The best time to visit is during the winter months (October - March) when the weather is warm 17°C - 30°C. The summer months can get scorchingly hot and the monsoon arrives from July and runs through to September.
• If you plan to hire a car, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars for the best prices.

Still not sure?

• From coastal to character browse through our list of the best places to stay in Puducherry to start to plan your trip.

• Or widen the net and check out all our recommended properties in Tamil Nadu.

• Or contact one of our friendly gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Puducherry