The eternal favorite with the tourist and travelers, Pondicherry is always different from other tourism destinations of the country. Ruled by the French for more than three hundred years, Pondicherry has retained French influences. The wonderful buildings made by the French stand pretty as glorious examples of the classic French architectures. The French and the Indian culture has mixed in this lovely town to bring out a very acceptable social structure. These factors added with picturesque landscapes have made the place a hot tourist destination. The presence of several Pondicherry attractions excites and enthralls the visitors.

French Fort Louis

One of the important monuments in Pondicherry and one of the many Pondicherry attractions, the French Fort Louis in Pondicherry is very popular with the history freaks and tourists of the city. The French Fort Louis in Pondicherry was one of the earlier establishments of the French in Pondicherry. According to historical sources, the French Fort Louis in Pondicherry was constructed around the year 1709.

It was built in accordance to a French Fort’s model, which was established by Vauban at Tournai in the French speaking Belgium. The magnificently built French Fort Louis has a pentagonal shape. It boasts of five bastions and a couple of gates. The exciting part of Pondicherry’s French Fort Louis is the underground chambers. These chambers were made to store arms, ammunitions and other commodities. The French Fort Louis in Pondicherry is bordered with a moat. The French Fort Louis in Pondicherry served as the Citadel of the city for more than fifty years and has withstand many attacks and calamities.

Aayi Mandapam

The ever popular Government Park of Pondicherry is one of the major tourism attractions of the city. In the heart of this wonderful park stands the Aayi Mandapam. The Aayi Mandapam in Pondicherry is one of the wonderful monuments of the city and one of the Pondicherry Attractions also. According to the historians, it was built during the sixteenth century.

It was named after a lady courtesan called Ayi. She destroyed her own house to erect a water reservoir to supply water for the city. At that time Napoleon III was the ruler of France. Later on, the French authority named the place to remember her contribution to the city. The magnificent Aayi Mandapam in Pondicherry is one of the reasons behind the popularity of the Government Park or the Bharati Park. The tower stands majestically at the center of the park, enhancing its look. The Aayi Mandapam monument was built in accordance to the Greco – Roman style of Architecture.

Visitors in the park get enchanted with the presence of this wonderful architectural brilliance. Especially in the evenings, the Aayi Mandapam looks beautiful with the help of sparkling illuminations. The illuminated Aayi Mandapam at Government Park stands as a distinct landmark in the night sky of the city, pronouncing its proud presence.

Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum

The beautiful coastal paradise of Pondicherry is noted for its panoramic rhapsodies. Apart from the emerald green sea waters lashing against the white sun kissed sands, Pondicherry also happens to be an erstwhile French settlement shrouded in history. Amongst the notable historic edifices dotting the union territory’s landscape, the Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum in Pondicherry holds a special place.

Aurbindo Ashram

The great patriot, nationalist, philosopher, spiritual leader and guru – Sri Aurobindo Ghosh spent his years of spiritual awakening in Pondicherry. The great thinker was so popular in this part of the world that till today he is adored and respected with the same fervor.

The Aurbindo Ashram in Pondicherry, which was built by the leader himself, is visited by millions of followers and devotees every year. The Ashram has earned the status of a pilgrimage center and has emerged as one of the major Pondicherry attractions. The Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry is perhaps the most visited tourism site of the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

The home of ‘The Mother’ and Sri Aurobindo during their Pondicherry halt, the Ashram was built in the year 1926. The Aurobindo Ashram is maintained by a registered trust. The sprawling complex of the Ashram is the residence of one thousand and five hundred members. People from all over the country and from all parts of the world have taken membership of the Sri Aurobindo Society. The main building of the Ashram lies beside the courtyard bordered with lush green trees.

Beautiful flower gardens adorn the place, which has the Samadhi at the center. The serene Aurbindo Ashram in Pondicherry comes alive during the festivals. Thousands of tourists, followers and visitors come to see the place. Despite the large crowd the members manage to maintain discipline within the complex, restoring its peaceful environment.

19th Century Light House

One of the most frequented tourist spots in the city, the 19th Century Light House in Pondicherry stands pretty on the Red Hills in Gorimedu. Located at a distance of five Kilometers from the western border of the city, the 19th Century Light House in Pondicherry is among the prime Pondicherry Attractions.

Ariyankuppam Archaeological Site

The tropical paradise of Pondicherry is also a dream come true destinations for erudite scholars keen on quenching their intellectual appetite. The union territory that also happened to be an erstwhile French colony is shrouded in age-old history. The Ariyankuppam Archaeological Site, is a historically eminent site that holds a special place in Pondicherry’s history.

Guillume Le Gentil, a legendary astronomer happened to visit the tiny coastal union territory of Pondicherry sometime during the period spanning between 1768-1771. During his visit, he chanced upon some dilapidated walls, mound of bricks and the ramshackle relics of some primordial wells in a quaint town called Ariyankuppam, sited at a stone’s throw distance of 4 km from Pondicherry. This aroused the inquisitiveness of the speculative mind of the astronomer. His suspicions proved right and archealogical excavations very soon confirmed that the ruins were indubitably the tatterdemalion relics of an ancient village.

French War Memorial

The union territory of Pondicherry has a strong French connection as evinced by several noted French commemorative edifices, like the French War Memorial in Pondicherry. The various monuments, memorials and other historic edifices play a key role in augmenting the panoramic beauty of the coastal union territory. Amongst them, the graceful and majestic French War Memorial stands tall as one of the architectural wonders of Pondicherry.

Situated in the beautiful promenade called Goubert Avenue, the French War Memorial was constructed in honor of the brave soldiers who sacrified their lives in the altar of the World War I.