Moving
around Pondicherry
By
Walk
To
really get to know Pondicherry and
its unique atmosphere, you have
to walk. The city is full of refreshing
views that are best explored on
foot at your own pace.
By choosing any one of the recommended
walks below, you will be amazed
by what you can discover about Pondicherry.
French
Quarters
- Rue Suffren, Rue Dumas, Rue Romain
Rolland, Rue St.Louis, Rue Francois
Martin, Rue de la Marine, etc...
In the French Quarter, the streets
are wide and facades are usually
characterized by continuous wall
to wall construction with high walls
and elaborate gates.
High ceilings, tall arched doors
and windows with louvers dominate
the space inside the houses. The
walls are usually painted in cream,
yellow, white and pink.
Tamil
Quarters
- Rue Kamatchi Amman Koil, Rue Chetty,
Rue Vysial, Rue Rangapillai, etc…
The Tamil Quarter consists of streetscapes with row houses which vary much in character with that of the French Quarters. Their exterior facades often feature a veranda and a semi-public portico supported by round wooden pillars.
Muslim
Quarters
- Rue Cazy, Rue Moullah, Rue Milad,
etc…
The highlight of the Muslim Quarter is definitely “Rue Cazy” with its characteristic and largely unscathed architecture. The Jamia Mosque and the small prayer houses in Rue Moullah add an exceptional charm to the street.
Shopping
Streets
- Nehru Street, Mission Street,
Mahatma Gandhi Road, Romain Rolland
Street, etc…
Nehru
Street is the main commercial street
in Pondicherry. The city is known
for its textiles, silks, antique
furniture, traditional doll making,
world-class brands in premium quality
leather, pottery, aromatics, handmade
paper, etc.
On weekdays, most shops are open
from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm / from
4.00 pm to 9 pm. On Sundays, many
shops are closed (restaurants are
open).
Sunday Market is held in the long
Mahatma Gandhi Road. You can find
a variety of cheap products, handicrafts,
toys, used books, clothes, souvenir,
etc. However, be prepared to be
part of a crowded market and don’t
forget to bargain.
Beach
Road
(Also known as Goubert Avenue &
The Promenade)
No
visit to Pondy is complete without
a walk along the Beach Road.
Beach Road is the evening refuge
from the heat. It is a splendid
place to watch people; Tamil families
with frolicking children, power
walkers, tourists from India and
around the world, groups of exuberant
young men, vendors of balloons and
strange flashing toys.
The Beach Road is filled with “oceans”
of charm. Friday, Saturday and especially
Sunday evenings are the busiest
days.
