Narratives of Pondicherry’s colonial days from French rule surface wherever you roam its tranquil spaces. There are plenty of things to do in Pondicherry to peel away the layers that drive its historical, heritage and cultural pursuits, which makes it such a rewarding destination to visit.

French Leave

The French left long ago, but Pondicherry still carries the indelible cast of their 280 years rule. Did you know that they were quite persistent? They hung around here till much after Indian independence! A canal served to split the city in two - the French Quarter and the Tamil Quarter, with each clinging to its cultural roots, even though not adverse to periodically imbibing and bits and pieces from the other. The things to do in the French Quarter of Pondicherry is to go on a lazy ramble along its quaint boulevards and sleepy streets, which bring you to buildings and monuments which are a throwback to the times of the French. From the War Memorial to the Le Café building to the Aurobindo Ashram, the French connection of Pondicherry is a real diverting story.

Creole Cooking

One of the most intriguing things to do in Pondicherry is uncovering its unique foodie passion for Creole food. Pondicherry’s version of Créole food is all about the marriage of French and Tamil food. And to get to the heart of this astonishing culinary adventure is by learning how to cook a Creole meal while you are in the seaside town of Pondicherry itself. You first need to pick up your produce and spices at the famous Goubert Market, with the help of a home cook, who will mentor you in the niceties of getting the meal from the kitchen to the table!

Art Scene

Pondicherry street art offers a wealth of exciting adventures in the creative space. Among the things to do to absorb this vital vibe of the seaside town is to remember this artistic wealth carries the inspiration of the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Muslim rulers, Portuguese, British, French and Dutch, who have left their stamp on Pondicherry. A guided tour of Pondicherry’s art streets opens up the amazing range of artistic outpourings through different techniques and subjects.

Vintage Vibes

Slow travel is just the ticket for soaking in the ambience of Pondicherry’s beautiful boulevards and the laidback charm. Things to do to get the most of your wandering in the beachside of Pondicherry is to ditch the car and do it all by bike, which can allow access even to the tightest lanes in town. Oh, and the trick is to go with a local expert to delve deep into the experience of this side of Pondicherry while pedalling through the quaint little lanes of the Muslim area, a fishermen’s village, and the French Quarter.