India's French Colony : Puducherry - A pictorial blog

Nestled snugly on India’s southeastern coast, Pondicherry, simply called as “Pondy,” is a delightful blend of French colonial architecture, vibrant streets, and pristine beaches.With its unique fusion of cultures, Pondicherry offers an array of breathtaking locations that serve as the perfect spot for all your memorable holidays.From picturesque lanes, colorful sunsets, and historic buildings to pretty gardens and aesthetic cafes. A photo tour of the bylanes of Pondicherry will mesmerize you. Be ready to etch your moments in time.And if you haven’t yet been there. The pictures might interest you sure.!

Jan 26, 2023 - 11:59 Updated: Jan 9, 2024 - 12:56

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India's French Colony : Puducherry - A pictorial blog

A french colonial building

White Town is the erstwhile French residential colony in Pondicherry. It is often referred to as the French Riviera of the East. The spacious streets, old colonial buildings, palatial bungalows, and well-manicured gardens bear French street names – everything is an example and is an essence of the century-old history of the town with a French connection.

Today those old residential houses and mansions are converted into government public offices, libraries, heritage hotels, residences, vintage cafes, eateries, Cafe joints and shops, and boutiques. The French Quarter here offers an array of experiences for the laidback traveler

The charm and glamour of the colonial era still exist in the form of architecture today. But noteworthy is history is still preserved aesthetically. I Hereby portray a collection of a few pictures during a walk in White Town in Pondicherry.

The Pondicherry town was built on a “grid-plan” system. The canal that you see today.runs parallel to the seashore and was used to demarcate the boundary between “White Town” and “Native Town”.

The White Town is the upfront area between the shoreline and the canal. All the rues and avenues in this part of the town still bear a French name connected to its past.

The use of Contrasting colors to paint the colonial buildings of the bygone era makes them picture-perfect

. Artistic picture picture-perfect doorways

The awe-inspiring architecture of all French buildings in White Town is quite captivating – the tree avenues, quirky wall graffiti, facades decorated with vertical pilasters, large arched doors, columns arched windows with vertical grills, loft, and overhanging balconies.

Everywhere you go, you find bewitching and colorful colonial architecture. What was pleasing to my eyes, was the use of soothing colors like yellow, peach, orange, and white to paint most French buildings.

The French Quarter overlooks Promenade Beach or Rock Beach. Head here for an evening walk on the sandy beach, and hitch a ride in a tricycle.While at the seafront, engage yourself in a nice spot by the rocks and watch the spectacular sunset.

During the tour if you feel hungry head to Le Cafe, the only seafront cafe, and relish French and Indian cuisine.

Although White Town has changed its demographics and socio-cultural pattern in the post-independence period, it still withholds and reminds the aura and grandeur of French legacy.