India

Puducherry

Yellow colonial villas, seafront Goubert Avenue, and Auroville’s golden meditation dome blur the line between Tamil Nadu and French India.

Walk or cycle early to avoid heat; November–March is busiest yet pleasant. Auroville visitors need timed passes for the Matrimandir viewing point—book online. Respect alcohol licensing zones; some beaches prohibit swimming. Extend to Chidambaram’s cosmic dance temple or Karaikal’s coastal shrines. Monsoon can flood low lanes—waterproof bags help.