Like Lonawala for the people of Mumbai, and Goa for the people in and around India, Chennaites, and Tamil people on the whole have one go-to weekend vacay destination. This destinations in none other than our very own Pondicherry. Now called Puducherry, the small city is the best place to visit to blow off some steam with friends or cousins after a tough week. It can also be considered as a romantic getaway spot for couples who don’t want to spend too much. Most of all, Pondi is the best place for Foodies, especially those who have always wanted to try French food. So here’s your guide to Pondicherry, and the 8 must-visit places in the small city!

1)Beaches: 

Pondicherry is known for its beaches. While there are many in and around the small place, the two must visit beaches are the Eden Beach and the Seaside Promenade. The Promenade beach, as the name suggests, is known for long walks and to spend silent time amidst nature. The statue of Joan of Arc, Dupleix’s statue, the old heritage hall, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and the old lighthouse greet visitors at the beach. You can go on a guided tour to at this beach to know more about those statues.

The Eden beach on the other hand, is a blue-flag certified beach. A blue-flag certification is an eco-label tells you that the beach is sustainable and eco-friendly. The path towards Eden beach from parking itself is an experience where you can see coconut plantations on the backwaters of the Chunnambar River. The beach is further developed by the Government of Puducherry recently, when compared to other traditional beaches. This beach will be a fun way to spend your time, in a clean, eco-friendly surrounding.

Timing: Open all through the day

 

2) Chunnambar Boat House:

The Chunnambar Boat House is located 8 kms from Pondicherry, on the road towards Cuddalore. It is backwaters with colourful boats surrounding the entire length of the water body. A boat ride is the perfect thing to do to have a look around and enjoy the beauty of the Chunnambar lake. If you’re lucky, you may also spot a few dolphins, playing around in the water. There is also a stream of water alongside Chunnambar, which is a natural stream and is not very deep. The entry ticket into the Boat House is Rs. 15 for adults and Rs. 5 for children. There are a variety of boats like speed boats, motor boats and foot-pedal boats, to choose from. There are also different types of trips you can opt for.

You can also take a 15 minute boating trip to Paradise Beach nearby, where you can spend up to 4 hours. In the Paradise beach, you can also opt for activities like Kayaking,  Ferry Riding, Jet Skiing, Bungy Tampoline, etc.

Timing: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm