Almost two hundred years of French occupation have resulted in a distinct beautification of Pondicherry. The White Town area of Pondicherry is also known as the French Quarter and one could not be at fault if one thought of being in Montpellier or Bordeaux. Many of these structures in the French Quarter of Pondicherry are colonial buildings and were built by the French during their rule. Some of the buildings in White Town have been deemed as heritage sites and are breathtakingly beautiful.
Photographs from French Quarters (White Town area) in Pondicherry
Pondicherry is also lovingly called Pondi by local Tamilians and Chennai inhabitants for whom it is a weekend destination.
Check : Doors Of India Campaign – Documenting the North Zone
Pondicherry’s French Quarter is laid out in a grid pattern, with parallel streets cutting across each other at right angles. I have been told thats exactly how it is in French cities as well.
Read : Doors of Varanasi : A Photo Story
If you are a first time tourist to Pondicherry, you might well wonder what the fuss about French architecture is all about! Pondicherry is a bustling town now and resembles all metropolitan cities. The French Quarter or White Town area is the part located close to the seaside promenade facing Bay of Bengal.
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The French Quarter or White Town area in Pondicherry is filled with elegant colonial mansions in the midst of tree lined boulevards, named on French streets beginning with ‘rue’, numerous parks and charming cafés. (Rue in French roughly translates to street.)
Check : Food Heaven : Cafés & Restaurants in Auroville
The houses in the French Quarter area are adorned with shuttered windows and in colourful façades that wouldn’t look out of place in Paris. Enjoy the slideshow showcasing pretty frames.
Read : Street Photography from Varanasi
French is still spoken among the older residents who live in Pondicherry and proceedings seem to be caught in a time warp when I came across old French buildings with their original names converted into Government offices of the Union Territory of Pondicherry.
Cafés of Pondicherry are a must visit attraction for the quirky graffiti and pretty interiors.
Elegant and tall French doors adorn the exterior and interior of many buildings. The best way of exploring the heritage French architecture is by slow travelling in Pondicherry and going on many aimless and leisurely walks.
Since I spent more time in Auroville than in Pondicherry, I also explored these streets on a rented scooty that cost only 100 Rupees per day! Highly recommend this idea if you are short on time. Make sure to ride slowly though and enjoy the sights around!
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Such amazing photos. You sure know how to tell the most perfect story using pictures. Beautiful compilation and brought back memories of Pondi! 🙂
Thanks so much Parul! So glad you liked it.
Truly Awesome
Many thanks Rupam for checking it out! Much appreciated.
I love beautiful doors and windows too! Looking at the pictures makes me want to visit and explore Pondicherry all over again!
Thanks so much for checking this! Yes, it makes sense to slow travel across Pondicherry for the doors and windows.
Well those are some incredible photographs!!
Thanks so much for checking!!
Gorgeous frames!
Many thanks brother. Glad I put this photo story together!
those are so gorgeous pics
those are so gorgeous pics
Many thanks Mayuri for the appreciation!!
Such pretty frames!! Got back amazing memories of the white town and all those gorgeous doors and facades!!
Thanks Divsi! Glad you liked the post. Thanks 🙂
What a beautiful compilation of pics! Brought back some fond memories of travels in Pondicherry! 🙂
Thanks! Glad it rekindled fond memories 🙂
Nice post with an amazing collection of pictures. Thanks for sharing with us. keep updating
Thanks for the kind words!
Good work. thanks for sharing with us. keep updating.
Thanks for checking. Keep following.
best blog for first timer there ! Thank you ShoeBum
Thanks Sue! Glad to know :))
Seeing your pictures was like virtually travelling to Pondicherry!
Thank you Shraddha 🙂
I’ve visited both Pondicherry and Auroville. Both beautiful places and one of my favorites in India
Not visit yet !!! but i am really excited to visit pondicherry . I like the cleanliness and clear weather with perfectly build houses with amazing architechture !!!! thanks for sharing
such a nice place and great architecture , really excited to visit
Amazing architectural stuff and amazing pics , thanks for sharing . Love to visit these type of places
Thanks for sharing about such nice architecture, thanks for sharing this content.
Thanks for sharing these amazing picture. perfect designs, will love to visit this place .
Love these locations , best for photo shoots these are so amazing . Actually I love to go photo like places and always tried some unique one .Thanks for sharing this one.
These Location are amazing , will love to visit Indian places . Thanks for sharing about these places
Thanks for sharing this Pondicherry, A Photo Story. Seems so amazing. Love this photoshoot
Love this Photoshoot and love these locations. Thanks for sharing .
Thanks Sara. Glad you liked checking it out.
Love these pictures , amazing places to visit. Thanks for sharing with us.
I love this India’s French Colony – Pondicherry, thanks for sharing this one with us.
Thanks for sharing these Photographs from French Quarters, seems amazing and unique.