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Reasons to Visit Pondicherry

Reasons to Visit Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a city in Tamil Nadu, India. It's known for its French architecture, beaches and museums. It's a great place to visit if you want to experience both modern and ancient culture at the same time.

French Architecture

French architecture is a style of architecture that has its roots in the Late Middle Ages and is associated with the French Renaissance. The style was first seen in the 12th century, but it was not until about 1530 (the time of François I) that it became popular throughout Europe.

The style can be seen in many places around Pondicherry including:

Beaches

You can enjoy the beaches in Pondicherry. There are many beaches, which are famous for their beauty and natural surroundings. These beautiful beaches offer excellent swimming and sunbathing opportunities as well as fishing, camping and picnicking facilities.

Auroville

Auroville is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the coastal region of Puducherry. It was established by Mirra Alfassa, an artist and writer who also envisioned it as a place where people could live together without conflict and live in harmony with nature.

Auroville has been described as 'the largest experimental community on earth', with over 3,000 people living there currently (as of 2017). The goal of this community is to create a new way for humans to live together harmoniously; this includes everything from housing and education to agriculture and manufacturing services used by all members regardless of age or gender identity

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a spiritual center in Pondicherry. It was founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926, who left his home to form an ashram that would be dedicated to meditation and study. The ashram is also known as "the city of peace," where people can find harmony through their interactions with each other.

French cuisine

French cuisine is known for its variety and richness. It can be described as a fusion of French, Indian and Asian cuisines. The French influence on Pondicherry’s food comes from the colonial era when the city was under British rule.

French cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients like fish, meat and vegetables that are locally sourced in France before being shipped to India via boats or trains. These ingredients were then cooked into delectable dishes at the many restaurants around town that offer authentic French fare such as:

La Crique – This restaurant serves up some seriously delicious seafood creations including oysters Rockefeller (€43) with caviar mignonette sauce; lobster bisque soup with crabmeat; mussels steamed in white wine broth with shallots & garlic butter; prawns confit served over grilled polenta slices topped off with melted cheese fondue sauce; panko-crusted calamari served over sliced tomatoes drizzled in lemon juice vinaigrette dressing . . . all washed down by white wine!

Churches

Pondicherry has a few churches that are worth visiting. The most famous among them is St. Joseph's Cathedral, which was built in 1847 and is one of the biggest churches in India today. It has four towers, making it look like an onion with its layers!

The other churches are St Mary's Cathedral (1865), St Francis Xavier Church (1822) and Our Lady of Good Counsel Church (1907). These three also have four towers each: two on top and two at each end; this makes them look like seashells or turtle shells!

Then there's Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (1871). This one has five turrets on top but only one at each end—which gives it an unusual appearance compared to other Pondicherry Temples and pilgrimage sites structures

Shopping

Pondicherry is a great place to shop for clothes, books and jewelry. There are many beautiful handicrafts in the city that you can buy at the local Pondicherry Shopping areas. The most popular crafts include silk saris, wood carvings and pewter artworks which are exported worldwide owing to their quality craftsmanship.

Heritage Walks

Heritage Walks

These walks are a great way to explore Pondicherry's history, while learning about its culture and architecture. Some of the best heritage walks include:

Heritage Walk - Fort St George – This walk takes you through the fort's outer walls, which date back to 1761 and can be seen from above. You'll also learn about how Pondicherry was founded as a French colony in 1674, before becoming part of India after independence in 1947.

Heritage Walk - Crossroads Market – This tour begins at Crossroads Market Square and explores some of its most famous buildings such as The Perfumed Garden (a bazaar) and St Paul’s Cathedral Church built in 1892 by French missionary nuns who came here seeking spiritual freedom from their oppressive countrymen!

Heritage Walk - Quatorze Juillet Square – This tour begins at Quatorze Juillet Square where you will find many historical monuments including The Dead House (a house where bodies were stored without burial during mass executions) which was later converted into an art gallery displaying works by local artists like Louis Mathieu Rousselot who painted landscapes depicting ancient French villages around 1900."

Yoga

Yoga is a way of life. It's not just about physical exercise, but also an opportunity to connect with the earth, yourself and others as you practice yoga poses.

The main benefits of practicing yoga are:

Increased flexibility in the body

Better balance and coordination skills

More energy and stamina

Water Sports

Water sports are a popular activity in Pondicherry. You can choose from swimming on the beach, enjoying a day at the pool or going for a river cruise.

Water sports are great for relaxing and spending time with friends as well as family members.

Botanical Garden

If you’re looking for a place to relax, the Botanical Garden of Pondicherry is an excellent choice. Located in an area that has been preserved from development, it is home to a variety of plants and flowers from all over the world. The garden provides opportunities to learn about these plants as well as their history and culture.

The botanical garden is also home to many trees, including some endangered species such as Acacia nilotica (acacia) and Wodyetia sinensis (Chinese elm). These valuable resources can be found throughout this beautifully landscaped park which has been designed by famed British architect Sir Roger Stevens who also designed New York City's Central Park!

French War Memorial

The French War Memorial is a striking building that stands in the center of Pondicherry. It was built by the French government in memory of their soldiers who died in World War I. The monument was designed by architect Jean Nouvel, who also designed the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Palais de la Découverte in Paris. It's located at 3 rue du Général Lacombe, just off Rue de la Republique and next to the Church of St Louis des Français (which we'll get back to later).

The memorial was commissioned by President Albert Lebrun after his predecessor, Émile Loubet—who had been prime minister under both Georges Clemenceau and Aristide Briand—was assassinated along with several other dignitaries during an anarchist bombing campaign against politicians at a rally held near Place de l'Opéra on September 4th 1914."

Pondicherry Museum

The Pondicherry Museum is located in the city centre, and it's open from 9:30 to 17:00. It’s closed on Mondays, public holidays (such as Christmas and New Year), and Tuesdays.

Auroville Bakery

Auroville Bakery is a bakery in Auroville, India. The bakery is located in the Auroville International Centre and run by the Auroville Institute of Architecture and Design.

The bakery specializes in breads, pastries, cakes and bread products; it also sells fresh fruits & vegetables from their own garden as well as imported ones from other countries such as Spain or France. The store also offers various kinds of tea including herbal teas that are made using organic herbs grown onsite at AMARA (Auroville’s Organic Farm).

Nightlife

Pondicherry is a great destination for nightlife. The city offers many places to visit during the day and at night, including:

The French Quarter (the main entertainment center)

A few clubs and bars, like Barbeque Place and Bar Asia

The restaurants around town are also very popular, such as Le Resto du Cœur and La Lanterna