The Gandhi statue on the beach of Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a big and crowded city and as such not very suitable for a visit with children. But despite it's size, it is a relaxed town where you can easily spend some days.
If you plan to stay longer than a couple of days, it might be worth moving to neighbouring Auroville and explore Pondicherry by day trips from there. Auroville is definitely a far more child-friendly destination.

Up to 1954, Pondicherry was the capital of French India and this French legacy is still obvious. Today's layout of the streets goes back to the French governor Dupleix, who rebuilt the town in 1742 and introduced the rectangular grid of streets encircled by a broad boulevard.

Orientation in Pondicherry is easier than in most other Indian towns - but more difficult than it seems. It is easier because the streets are laid out in a rectangular pattern with the main axis of MG-road running parallel to the beach. But orientation gets confused by the fact that many streets change their names when they cross the covered canal that separates the French from the Indian part of the town. East of the canal (underneath Gingee Salai) spacious streets and houses with shuttered windows give you a French feeling, whereas west of the canal Pondicherry is a busy Tamil market town.

Though most of the interesting activities Pondicherry aren't very much made for children, there are still some, that are ok for children, too.

Shady and surprisingly relaxed

Childrens Playground on Maidan: On the central Maidan near Ghandi statue there are two nice playgrounds for small children. The park is popular with locals, too, and at times, the playgrounds can be really packed. Under the big trees it is shady and the place is a nice hangout with children.

Pondicherry offers some very fine accommodations in the top- and midrange-sector. The best budget options are without doubt those offered by the ashram.

Clean, quiet and serene: for devotees of Sri Aurobindo only

Park Guesthouse: The Park Guesthouse is probably the most looked-after place of accommodation in Pondy - because it is situated so perfectly at the beach. Spacious lawns stretch in front of the building, nearly all rooms have their own balcony. The guesthouse is run by the ashram, and if you have any connection with Sri Aurobindo, it will be a perfect place to stay with children.

Address: Goubert Avenue
Tel: 0413 233644, 2224644
Email: parkgh@sriaurobindoashram.org
Price: 400Rs to 600Rs

Swades Guest House: This family-run place offers clean rooms, a cosy atmosphere and two big areas for socializing.

Address: 26, Chanda Sahib St
Tel: 0413 4209550
Email: contact@swades-guesthouse.com
Website: swades-guesthouse.com
Price: 450Rs to 900Rs

Eating out with children is easy in Pondy, as the Tamil kitchen meets the French. You will find plenty restaurants with superb menus, and quite a few open-air-places. All of them offer food, you and your child might hanker for, after a long journey through remote parts of India.

Beautiful location, slow service, good food

Le Cafe: Situated in the best location, centrally on the beach front, this government-run french-stile cafe offers croissants and coffee. Even though it has been recently renovated, the odour of neglection sticks on. Nevertheless, the view is beautiful and the fenced garden is child-friendly.

Hidden in the basement: the relocated Coffee house

Indian Coffee House: Once a travellers meeting-point, the Indian Coffee House nowadays lost quite a lot of it's charm. It moved two blocks up the street, maintained it's atmosphere, is still popular with locals - but misses the view out on the street that was constitutional for the old version.

Pondicherry is a rare example of a big Indian city that is not well accessible by train. The next mayor railhead is Villupuram on the main Chennai-to-Madurai-Line. Only four daily trains ply between Villupuram and Pondicherry.
Much better and much more frequent are the connections by bus. Numerous buses start in short intervals from the main bus stand, 500 meters west of town. Most of them up and down the East Coast Road (ECR) and connect Pondicherry to Chennai and Mahaballipuram in the north and Chidambaram in the south.