Pondicherry is a cherished tourist destination with exotic beach, museums, and delectable French cuisines. Pondicherry is the union territory of India. It is the capital of Tamil Nadu. This place was under the French rule for a long time. Though it has become free the French influence is very prominent still now. The languages spoken by the people of Pondicherry are French, English, Tamil and Hindi. 

Serenity Beach

A ten-minute drive to the north of the town brings you to these virgin sands. The ambience is well-captured in its name. You can touch the calm. Ideal for a quick dip, a touch of the sun and a cool reprieve in the shade.

Plage Paradiso (Paradise Beach)

At Chunnambar, 8 kms from the town, along Cuddalore Main Road, lies this stretch of tropical paradise. Flanked h a quiet-flowing creek on one side. In fact, you can sail downstream to the sands and pitch up a cozy seaside tent for yourself. Overnight within the tree-houses on the backwater banks provides a relishing experience of the great outdoors. A short, pleasant cruise into the sea from here could reward you with the memorable sight of playful dolphins in natural habitat, horsing around. 

Karaikal Beach

Sunrise-watchers can catch their magnificent view over the bay, with the pretty Arasalar river reaching out to the sea. Alternatively, you can canoe or kayak in picture-book surroundings. Have a round of beach volley ball. Or, armed with the angling gear, you can reel in a surprise.

Mahe Beach

Twenty two kms south of Kannur, on the northern strip of coastal Kerala lies this bewitching beach strip. From Calicut, you will find this 75 kms north of the town, bordered by a luxuriant crop of tall palm. And dotted with numerous fishing hamlets.

Yanam River Cruise

Yanam, in coastal Andhra Pradesh, provides a different route to exhilaration. As you enjoy a sunset cruise down the spectacular Goringa Godavari river which winds through rich mangrove forests.

Accessibility

By Air: one can land at Chennai airport which is 200 km away from Pondicherry. 

By Rail: Pondicherry express is liked with meter gauge line through Chennai via Villupuram. 

By Road: Pondicherry is well connected with roads. 

Maximum temperature in summers - 35.7ºC

Maximum temperature in winters - 20.9ºC

Pondicherry traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the venerated sage of the south. The excavations near Pondicherry disclose that a Roman settlement existed here, 2000 years ago. 

Masquerade, held in March - April, is a popular mask festival, during which brilliantly costumed and masked people of Pondicherry, dance down the streets to the music of trumpets and accordions. 

During the Eve of the Bastille Day, retired soldiers parade the streets in war finery, singing the French and Indian National Anthem. French is still widely spoken, and the seaside villas and the cobbled streets are more evocative of the south of France than the south of India.