The French Quarter in Pondicherry - a portion of France in India

11/15/2022

The French Quarter in Pondicherry - a portion of France in India

A portion of France still exists in India in the French Quarter in Pondicherry, which has a history of being acquired and colonised by the French East India Company to set up a trading centre. Pondicherry had been passed on to multiple colonial powers of Dutch, Portuguese, English, but predominantly French. Even now there's a huge French influence in the French Colony of Pondicherry, now a Union Territory of India. When Pondicherry was handed over to India, the residents were given an option to maintain their French passports. The residents (Indians and non-Indians originally) in Pondicherry are French citizens, the streets have retained their French names, the residents speak French, there are restaurants and cafes serving French food with menus in French language, the villas in French architectural styles prevail.

Lately I've been obsessed with exploring different architectural houses in India. I have explored the Portuguese Heritage Colony in Fontainhas in Goa and lived in Traditional Himachali house in Tirthan Valley. I have visited Pondicherry twice, my last visit to this place was on my journey on the Golden Chariot - the only luxury train in South India. Both the times I had experienced the French culture and I can keep going back to Pondicherry for the awesome French food.

Pondicherry is planned according to the French grid structure and has perpendicular streets. The French Quarter lies on one side of the canal that separates the town from the Indian Quarter. The Heritage Walk in the French Quarter of Pondicherry is through the primary four streets: RUE DUMAS, RUE ROMAIN ROLLAND, RUE SUFFREN and RUE LA BOURDONNAIS. The best way to soak in the French culture is to explore these streets on foot.

French Villas in French Quarter Pondicherry

The colonial style French villas have huge compounds, grand walls and majestic doors. This defines the French lifestyle of keeping their personal and social life to themselves behind the high walls.

French Villas in French Quarter Pondicherry

The villas are eminently coloured in sunburnt yellow, white and peach.

French Quarter, Pondicherry

It is very common to cover the verandahs, balconies and terraces with thatched roofs to give a cool ambiance in the tropical climate of Pondicherry.

French Colony, Pondicherry

The windows and doors with ornate wooden grills contrast beautifully against the white columns.

French Colony, Pondicherry, India

Heritage French villas converted to guest houses in Pondicherry

A lot of French houses and villas have been converted to beautiful guest houses in the French Quarter.

Heritage French guest houses in Pondicherry

I got a chance to visit the beautiful "Colonial Heritage" villa.

Colonial Heritage villa in Pondicherry

The interiors of the villa are rustic and impressive.

Interiors of Colonial Heritage villa in Pondicherry

The dim yellow lights and the vibrant walls made a soft romantic ambience.

Interiors of Colonial Heritage villa in Pondicherry

I loved the way a rustic old-style weighing balance was used for plant pots.

Interiors of Colonial Heritage villa in Pondicherry, India

Some villas turned guest houses have converted their terraces to bamboo huts with thatch roofs. I was very fascinated with living in one of the French Heritage villas on my first visit to Pondicherry. I also experienced living on the terrace in the bamboo huts.

Bamboo Huts in French Quarters, Pondicherry, India

Vibrant streets of French Quarter in Pondicherry

It's not just the colourful French houses that make the vibrant streets of the French Quarter, there are graffitis on the roads and the walls that add on to the glimmer.

Vibrant streets of French Quarter in Pondicherry

A creative graffiti on the wall of a cafe looks alluring. I was more impressed with the huge door!

Graffiti in French Quarter, Pondicherry

The locals of Pondicherry are seen walking or riding a bicycle or a 2-wheeler on the streets.

The locals of Pondicherry

The Heritage Walk in the French Quarter can also be done on the cycle rickshaws.

The Heritage Walk in the French Quarter, Pondicherry on cycle rickshaws.

French cafes in Pondicherry

My favourite French cafe in Pondicherry was "La Maison Rose" which was run by a handsome French guy and a French chef. It was undoubtedly the best place to eat in Pondicherry. I had the second best New York Cheese cake of my life and the best guava compote at La Maison Rose. I was dying to get back to this place but Unfortunately on my last visit here, in February 2017, i saw it was closed permanently.
There are many French cafes in Pondicherry that serve excellent and creative crepes and other dishes.

French cafes in Pondicherry, India

I was recommended 'Baker's Street' bakery for my breakfast in Pondicherry by the owner of the French villa I lived in. I couldn't resist ordering everything interesting I could spot on the menu - baguettes, croissants, cheese cakes and pies.

Baker Street, French cafe in Pondicherry, India

The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges / The Church or our Lady of Angels in French Quarter, Pondicherry

The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges (The Church of Our Lady of Angels), beautifully stands in pink colour in Rue Dumas.

The Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges / The Church or our Lady of Angels in French Quarter, Pondicherry

The promenade beach sums up the French Heritage town, giving a closer resemblance to France. The promenade beach has a long beachfront and is ideal spot for morning and evening walks.

The promenade, French Heritage town, Pondicherry

Matri Mandir In Auroville

Matri Mandir in Auroville is open only to serious meditators who need to take permissions a day prior to meditate here. For everyone else, it is only a sight-seeing spot.

Matri Mandir In Auroville, India

Best time to travel to Pondicherry

The best time to travel to Pondicherry is November - February.

P.S. I had explored Auroville and Pondicherry twice. First time it was by myself and the second time I was invited by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation for a journey on Golden Chariot which took me through these destinations.

Related Posts:

Golden Chariot - the only luxury train in south India

Portuguese Heritage Colony in Goa

Living in a traditional Himachali house

9 Comments

Mayuri LR Patel link

5/23/2017 14:17:25

loved the colors you shown here and description..straight out of France feeling

Abraham

5/18/2018 09:52:01

Hey, just read the above blog on Pondicherry. Think you can tell me something about settling down there?

Aryan

6/7/2019 20:59:34

Hi,
Im in love with your travel ur travel blog. You made me fall love for Pondicherry omg i really wana visit that place. I would love to get a reply from you...

Rahul

11/8/2019 04:37:04

Hey Medhavi, thanks for sharing your experience. Do we also get a french speaking atmosphere there? I am a french language student and planning to stay there for a while. Your help would be much appreciated if you can. TIA :)

Brandy J Shearer link

5/16/2020 15:10:54

What a beautiful tribute to the area in Pondicherry! I'm currently working on my own post and would love to link to yours as well for more detail on the French Quarter. I hope you don't mind!

Subhadeep Mondal link

6/5/2020 01:25:42

White town is the most interesting place in Pondicherry. Colorful houses, empty streets, vintage cafes and lastly Promenade - everything is perfect for a weekend destination.

Nicely written post Medhavi and beautiful photographs of heritage town.

Martin Jeffery

1/24/2021 11:17:46

Thanks for sharing. Well written!

Emily link

12/23/2021 14:48:01

I love reading your blog. Your blog post is very useful and adds insight for me. Thank you for sharing.

Preeti Parekh

10/18/2022 19:12:19

Hi Medhavi, I'm just back from a holiday to Pondicherry and could relate to each place so vividly described by you in the blog. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it, would love to read one on Tanjore too specially the Brihadeeshvara temple and Tanjore art. Hope it's not asking too much, Thanks and God bless, keep writing!

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