Institut Français de Pondichéry

Puducherry (Pondicherry)


This grand 19th-century neoclassical building is also a flourishing research institution devoted to Indian culture, history and ecology. Visitors can browse books in the beach-facing library.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Puducherry (Pondicherry) attractions

1. Sri Aurobindo Ashram

0.1 MILES

Founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French-born woman, ‘the Mother’, this famous spiritual community has about 2000 members in its many departments…

2. Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple

0.16 MILES

Pondy may have more churches than most Indian towns, but the Hindu faith still reigns supreme. Pilgrims, tourists and the curious get a head pat from the…

3. Raj Nivas

0.17 MILES

Once home to Governor Dupleix, the neoclassical governor's residence looks out over Bharathi Park from the north. You can't go inside.

4. Puducherry Museum

0.19 MILES

Goodness knows how this converted late-18th-century villa keeps its artefacts from disintegrating, considering there’s a whole floor of French-era…

5. Old Lighthouse

0.28 MILES

Pondy's lighthouse was completed in the 1830s and functioned for more than a century before being replaced in 1979.

6. Bharathi Park

0.29 MILES

A shady green haven that's always busy, Bharathi Park faces the neoclassical governor's residence, Raj Nivas, on its north side.

7. Gandhi Memorial

0.31 MILES

The main sight along seafront Goubert Ave is this bronze striding statue of Gandhi.