Are you planning a trip to the Paris of The East? Well! If you got confused, then it is Pondicherry.  Also known as the French Riviera of the East, Puducherry, or Pondicherry is one of the beautiful cities in India that attracts tourists from all around the world.  There are a number of beautiful places to visit in Pondicherry and one can have memories to cherish forever. 

Some of the best tourist places in Pondicherry:

We have compiled an article to give you a list of the top 10 places to visit in Pondicherry. If you want to explore this mesmerizing territory, then you are on the right page.

1. Rocky beach

The rocky beach is an artificial beach ranking high on the list of tourist places in Pondicherry. The Rocky Beach is a Blue Flag beach listed high on Pondicherry’s famous places. Why do you ask? First and foremost being is only one of the ten blue flag beaches In India. It’s a rare certification given to very few after meeting stringent criteria. The whole beach is bordered by walkways, where you can enjoy from morning jogs to romantic walks. Quite a few attractions in Pondicherry as well as iconic landmarks are near this beach. The best time to visit Pondicherry Rocky Beach is in winter. While walking through the streets of the best places in Pondicherry, your feet might get tired and will need the comfort of swift yet sturdy flip flops. 

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2. Botanical Garden

The Botanical garden, or as the French would call it, Jardin Botanique, is a treat for nature lovers. It is one of the most beautiful places to see in Pondicherry; not just the plants but also the French architecture is simply mesmerizing. It was established in 1826 to study the variety of plants of Pondicherry by French botanist George Samuel Perrottet. Today the garden houses more than 1500 species of trees spread over a huge area of 22 hectares. Now that the wonderful garden made a list of sightseeing places in Pondicherry, one must discover the hidden gems in the garden such as the different flowers in the floral garden. There is also an aquarium with unique creatures. The best time to visit Pondicherry botanical garden is between November to February.

3. Auroville Commune

Auroville should be on your list of must-visit places in Pondicherry. It was founded on 28th Feb 1968 by Mirra Alfassa and spiritual Visionary Sri Aurobindo. Auroville is a living example of what humanity can be; this place ranks top of Pondicherry’s famous places. Auroville is also known as “the city of Dawn”. It features among the most popular tourist attractions in the Pondicherry list simply due to the diversity of people and spiritual healing practices. Among all the places in Pondicherry, the “Matrimandir” is the soul of the Auroville commune. It is a giant golden sphere that can be viewed as mother earth giving birth to a new consciousness. In conclusion, among the places to visit in Pondicherry, Auroville is a must-see.

4. Shri Aurobindo Ashram

The place was founded in 1926 by Shri Aurobindo Ghosh; he was a freedom fighter and an author later on. From the list of places to visit in Pondicherry, Auroville and Sri Aurobindo ashram are two spiritual centres. Situated on the eastern banks, it is a must-visit place in Pondicherry. There are two most integral parts of the ashram. First is the Sri Aurobindo international center of education, a place for R&D for developing a new system in education and second is the marble shrine where Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa lie in samadhi. Aurobindo Ashram ranks high among Pondicherry's famous places and is the best place for people who love peace and tranquility.

5. Ousteri Lake

Want a treat for your eyes? Then make sure to visit Ousteri Lake. Ousteri lake, also known as Ossudu lake, is among the most beautiful places in Pondicherry. This Artificial Lake built by the French is simply breathtaking. This lake has an area of 800 hectares most of which is a part of Tamil Naidu and Pondicherry has 390-hectare. This lake is a very important bird sanctuary and is home to over 40 species of beautiful migratory birds and is really mesmerizing. Ousteri lake is among the scenic tourist places in Pondicherry. Why? This place will mesmerize you with its wildlife while you are boating. The best time to visit Pondicherry Ousteri lake is from Nov to Feb. 

6. The Pondicherry Museum

While sightseeing in Pondicherry, “The Pondicherry Museum” is an excellent place locally known as Pondy Museum. This museum contains the incredible history of this area. Established in 1983 this is amongst the most stimulating places to visit in Pondicherry. The Pondicherry museum contains artifacts and relics as old as the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.  There are various magnificent stone sculptures and bronze statues from the Pallava and Chola Dynasty along with some prehistoric collections. A must visit place in Pondicherry as you will have plenty of stories to share with your friends and family.

7. Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Pondicherry. The temple is a Dravidian architectural marvel built by Cholas and later, Pandyas is more than 800 years old. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and also has eye-capturing sculptures of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses, such as the 5 feet tall statue of Lord Varadaraja. There are 83 springs and 12 wells inside the temple, the water which is believed to help cure common ailments of devotees. The best time to visit Pondicherry temple is during the festival of Ram Navami.

8. La Maison Rose

How about seeing old French colonial architecture? La Maison Rose is one of them that has been changed into boutique shops (Domus, Oh la la, and Amethyst) where you get clothes, souvenirs, and more.  It is one of the best tourist places in Pondicherry that you should never miss out on while planning a trip to the French colony of India. If you love to shop, then this place is like heaven for all shopaholics. Among all the places in Pondicherry Domus will be your favorite stocks of antiques, vintage furniture, and home accessories that have been collected or manufactured by interior designer Claude Dalmais. 

9. Karaikal Beach

This beach is a hotspot for adventure lovers and for tourists who are seeking solitude. It is on the list of people looking to visit the famous things in Pondicherry.  Karaikal beach is amongst the best places to visit in Pondicherry to enjoy with family and friends.

10. Chunnambar Boathouse

The Chunnambar Boathouse or Plage Paradiso is a must among the best places in Pondicherry to visit for shutterbugs. The Konkani delicacies will leave your taste buds tingling. It's one of the best places in Pondicherry because of its natural beauty and gorgeous terrain, waterfall, and colorful boats. The backwater boat ride through villages and farmland is among the most famous things to do while in Pondicherry.

If you wish to explore more places in India, then you can check out our blogs on top places to visit in Darjeeling, Wayanad, and more.

Conclusion:

The above-mentioned tourist places in Pondicherry are just the tip of the iceberg. Pondicherry is a place where people from every age group will find something to cheer about. The number of places to visit in Pondicherry will leave you breathless and soulful. Pondicherry can bring out your inner child who was once curious about everything, would taste anything, play the whole day, converse with anyone, and lastly would be excited to tell stories of his experiences. There are plenty of places in Pondicherry that are like hidden gems, and you must explore them on your trip.