A coastal town with French-inspired architectural marvels and cobbled streets paving the ways, all draped in laid-back calm and spirituality…that’s Puducherry for you. A visit to this quaint town is an apt way to segue into a life of normalcy, which is why we’ve curated a few resorts for your next rebound road trip from Bengaluru to this French-influenced getaway so that you can #RediscoverParadise in a whole new way!
As travel restrictions ease and travellers start to hit the highways once again—keeping all safety precautions in mind—we tell you everything you need to know while you embark on a #TnlRoadTrip from Bengaluru to Puducherry. Plus, Corona India and Thrillophilia have just the right resorts to help you #RediscoverParadise, based on your preferences.
What to see?
Replete with French colonial-style architecture, a walk through the cobbled streets of Puducherry is charming enough. Begin the day with a walk along the White Town Promenade, a residential coastal side of the town that fuses Tamil and French influences under one space. When here, stop by at any of the seaside cafes to grab a continental breakfast. Next, head to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, former home and ashram of philosophers, Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa. Spiritual travellers can head to Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple near another famous spot, the Rock Beach. While the temple itself boasts of many antiquities and a seven-kg Gold Chariot, the beach is a 1.2-kilometre-long stretch dotted with a War Memorial and Dupleix Park on either side. Like the sunset, hawkers selling traditional handicrafts take over the streets. The most famed attraction of Puducherry—Matrimandir—however, lies on the outskirts in an experimental township named Auroville. The lotus-bud shaped Matrimandir is an important place among yoga practitioners where one can obtain a meditation pass to soak in the place’s sanctity.
Distance from Bengaluru to Puducherry: 310 kilometres
Duration: Six-and-a-half hours, approximately
Best time to visit: Blessed with a pleasant weather all-year-round, Puducherry’s biggest advantage is the fact that one can head here at any time. However, October to March is usually considered the ideal time as it serves as a respite from the other relatively warmer months.
Where to stay?
1. For a French rendezvous: Palais De Mahe Resort
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When at Palais De Mahe Resort, murmurs reminiscent of Puducherry’s colonial past linger in the air. Complete with high ceilings, traditional roof beams, arched doorways and colonnades painted in sombre yellows, the mansion-like vibe here is intense. Expect to be enveloped by flower-decked balconies, a majestic courtyard and period furniture bringing in an Indian touch. Pair this with the ever-pleasant tropical weather of the town and the fragrant sea breeze lingering through the resort, and you’ve got yourself an alluring French rendezvous well within reach. When here, #RediscoverParadise by travelling back in time and reliving the French way of life.
Price: Starting at INR 15,000 per room
Click here for more details.
2. For homely comforts: The Windflower Resort & Spa Pondicherry
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A fusion of Tamil and French culture and cuisine greets you at The Windflower Resort & Spa Pondicherry. Indoors, simple amenities like king-sized beds and gentle lighting await at the Windflower Studio. Outdoors, however, gull-dotted beaches and calm backwaters work wonders in rekindling the romance with your partner. To make the most of your vacation here, begin your day by digging into a delectable colonial-style breakfast and cruising along the nearby backwaters. #RediscoverParadise by taking it slow, and enjoying the loving hospitality and warmth of Puducherry locals.
Price: Starting at INR 14,500 per room
Click here for more details.
3. For traditional travellers: Maison Perumal
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A step into this 130-year-old Chettiar mansion is sure to quench any traveller’s thirst for all things traditional. Built in a manner integrating vernacular architectures, the evident ‘less-is-more’ philosophy is found here in abundance. Despite a penchant for all things minimalist, however, attention to detail is not compromised. Picture, stained glass offsets, geometric kovalam patterns, and a rotational gallery space showcasing artworks by locals. Adding to this charm are their menu options, each of which features locally grown produce crafted in a regional avatar. When here, #RediscoverParadise by being one with the natives and experiencing the true joy of being in Puducherry: their culture.
Price: Starting at INR 7,475 per room
Click here for more details.
4. For a laid-back vacation: K Resort
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If being pet-friendly isn’t reason enough to vacation at this tranquil retreat, then it’s the charming vibe that will do the trick. Spread across 30 acres, K Resort offers a blend of modernity dotted with tradition. Balconied guest villas, a full-service restaurant, a lounge bar and a banquet hall cover the space. However, it’s the presence of multiple in-house recreational activities that truly steal the show. Think, a landscaped mini-golf course, a decked swimming pool, an enclosed badminton court and a tennis and Pétanque court, respectively. Head here to #RediscoverParadise and enjoy Puducherry for the laid-back atmosphere it skilfully radiates.
Price: Starting at INR 6,699 per room
Click here for more details.
OTHER STAY OPTIONS
These resorts and many more are available to block through Corona India‘s cool new initiative to revive tourism within the country, in collaboration with Thrillophilia. Click here.
Related: Exploring The Coastal Town Of Puducherry In A Day!