De L'Orient, Pondicherry

Tamil and Cajun spices scent the air of this award-winning heritage hotel (Pondicherry's best) -- a 1760s manor house located in the heart of the French Quarter. The hotel has been beautifully restored, and captures the period grandeur of a nobleman's mansion. You can enjoy serene views of Pondicherry from the rooftop courtyard.
Some marvelous architecture arose on the French coastline of Pondicherry. Today, one such mansion reopens, restored with furniture, art and comforts unknown to the 18th century.

Getting There

Air: Nearest Airport - Chennai 160 km

Rail: Nearest Railway Station - Pondicherry 1 km
 
Chennai Railway Station -175 km

Things to do

While wandering the Quarter, you may want to take a look at the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Eglise de Sacre Coeur de Jesus), an 18th-century neo-Gothic Catholic Church on South Boulevard.

Dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple is off a side street so popular that it's cordoned off during the early evening hours; a temple elephant marks the entrance.

For a quick glimpse of local historic memorabilia and collectibles, visit the Pondicherry Museum, housed in a 17th-century colonial mansion once occupied by the French administrator. The museum features a collection of carriages and carts, stone sculptures, and a formidable bronze gallery.

At twilight, head for Goubert Salai (Beach Rd.), the most interesting sights along the promenade and the 4m (12-ft.) statue of Gandhi standing at the pier.

Cultural events, art exhibitions, and film screenings are conducted regularly by Pondicherry's Alliance Francoise

Located in the heart of Pondicherry, Aurobindo Ashram draws a global mix of ardent devotees and ordinary people searching for peace or looking to improve their meditation skills. Aurobindo Ghose, a politically active British-educated Bengali who sought asylum from the British in this small French enclave, took to meditation and yoga while developing theories of enlightenment that integrated his personal spirituality with the tenets of modern science. Founded as a place to foster evolution to a higher level of spiritual consciousness, the ashram opened in 1926.
At its spiritual and physical heart is the futuristic spherical structure known as Matrimandir, a place dedicated to the universal mother -- a symbolic space devoted to the divine creatrix. Its architectural innovation and utopian idealism make this a place of interest for anyone with a penchant for the unusual, the ethereal, or the novel.
Sail the river of time flow back to a graceful era when leisure was no idle man's sin.

Postcards that were mailed out of Pondicherry to France now return to their soil revealing black and white photographs of a bygone era.

Accommodation

Each of the 10 guest rooms -- set around an inner courtyard shaded by citrus and neem trees -- is themed and named for a former French colony. Comfortable and airy, with shuttered windows, high ceilings (some original wood ceiling beams), private patios, and tall French doors, its rooms are elegantly attired in pinks, yellows, and cool emerald. Most of the furniture pieces are French colonial antiques. Bathrooms are very chic, though small.
Walk barefoot on cool red or ivory floors. Tread the Savonnerie durries which have been revived on the pit loms of Jaipur. Admire the fine cotton blinds, the chintzes and indiennes, reprinted to orginal 18th century designs.

Eating

The courtyard restaurant, Carte Blanche takes you back to a graceful era when Punkhawallas gently fanned the air and Tamil spices mixed with French restraint to give you the renowned Creole cuisine.

Facilities

Front Desk
Restaurant
Coffee Shop
24 Hours Room-Service
Parking
Conference Facilities
Meeting Facilities
Elevator
Free Newspaper
Disco
Heated Pool
Outdoor Pool
Boutiques
Luggage Storage
Airport Shuttle