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A wondrous history of this place is told by obliging Pondicherrians. As well as the striking grid like street planning buildings and monuments. About the arrival of the European maritime powers of the

16th century the Portuguese the Dutch, the Danes, the English and importantly, the French, setting foot first in 1670. About the transformation of a tiny fishing village into a grand port city by the 18th century, brave generals, friendly maharajas and even, philanthropic courtesans. And about an undisturbed French rule for 138 years till 1954.

The most beautiful public space in town is the green and shaded Government Park, in the heart of Pondicherry. Standing smack in its centre is Aayi Mandapam. Built in Greco-Roman architecture,

unsinfully white, during the reign of Napoleon III -Emperor of France.
It bears the name of Aayi - a 16th century courtesan. Who razed down her home and replaced it with a reservoir. To appease a passing king, angry at having mistaken her candle-lit residence for a holy place. It was from this lake that Napoleon's men quenched their thirst, some 300 years later. Napoleon, charmed by the story, ordered a monument to Aayi.

The Place Du Gouvernement is a brilliant example of town planning in Pondicherry. Comprising the 18th century "Palais Du Government" - now the 'Raj Nivas' (not open to the public) - and the old t

The early sea-farers to Pondicherry were guided by a beacon kept burning on the red hills (Gorimedu), about 5-km west of the town. The now-abandoned light house standing on the edge of the sea near the

Place Du Gouvernment was lighted for the first time on 1st July 1836. The light was placed upon a masonry tower, 29m above sea level and was visible upto a distance of 29-km into the sea. In 1931, a revolving lantern replaced the fixed light. It fell into disuse with the commissioning of the new light house in 1979.

No visit to Pondicherry is complete without a free wheeling stroll down the peaceful Promenade Goubert Avenue (locally known as Beach Road), where one will find this elegant tribute to the

Lacee Francais, still educates hundreds of young Pondicheriens in French. One has to take permission from the office walking around the old courtyard to see photographs of colonial Pondy in a fine old building.

Meaning, the French institute of the Far East whose two handsome buildings are almost diagonal to each other at an intersection, one specialising in Indology, the other in History and Archaeology.

As the gate is generally open, one may walk into the courtyard and have a quiet look around. They have a very old Ganesha statue. If one has a professional interest in Indian civilisation, history and society, in

ecology, or in environment and development in South and Southeast Asia, one may pick up the institute's information materials describing current activities.

This place is the legion hall for retired soldiers from Pondicherry who served in French wars in Europe and the colonies. The building looks perky enough with its proud Tricouleur or tricolour (red, white and

blue flag) but the veterans must be getting.

The beach comber and the sun-worshipper have miles of "nirvana" in Pondicherry. The waters are cool and soothing. The sand's clear and sparkling, in splendid seclusion.

Quite often, one's only company is a lone seagull, or a sandpiper. Many resorts, cottages, cafes and bars command an excellent view of the sea.
Serenity Beach: A ten-minute drive to the north of the town brings one to these virgin sands. The ambience is well captured in its name. One can touch the calm. This place is ideal for a quick dip, a touch of the sun and a cool reprieve in the shade.

At Chunnambar, 8-km from the town, along Cuddalore Main Road, lies this stretch of tropical paradise. Flanked by a quiet-flowing creek on one side. In fact, one can sail downstream to the sands