Begin your day in Pondicherry's French Quarter, also known as the White Town, a charming area filled with tree-lined cobbled streets, vibrant buildings, and quaint boutiques. Begin with a stroll along the Promenade Beach that unites the historic old town towards the Bay of Bengal. Explore the boutiques, art galleries, and ashrams that embellish the streets, for lunch consider visiting Cafe des Arts for authentic French pastries, deli plates and aromatic coffee. Learn about the heritage of Pondicherry French Quarters' in The French Institute. Visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an incredibly stunning neo-gothic church that took 50 years to construct.
Start your day by visiting Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a temple of great importance in Pondicherry and its stunning architecture. Follow the visit with Auroville, an experimental township with an international community that is united to create a more harmonious and peaceful world. Visit the Matri Mandir, a vast golden dome-shaped temple where visitors can experience inner peace and meditate. In the evening, head to the Promenade Beach and enjoy the magnificent ocean sunset while indulging in some street vendor's delicacies or at sea-side restaurants.
If you have extra time, take a day trip to Pichavaram Mangrove Forest or visit the Pondicherry Museum to learn more about the city's history. On the other hand, if you have less time, consider skipping the Auroville visit to take a leisurely bike ride on Promenade Beach and enjoy some more French patisseries instead.