Puducherry, Union territory in South India.
Puducherry is a union territory on the southeast coast of India, made up of four separate districts located within different states. The region covers roughly 480 square kilometers and includes coastal areas along the Bay of Bengal as well as smaller enclaves further west and north.
French traders established a coastal post in 1674 under François Martin, which grew into an important colony. French administration ended only in 1954, when the region joined the Indian republic.
Residents speak a mix of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and French in daily life, with many street signs still appearing in two languages. Cafés and bakeries serve French pastries alongside South Indian dishes, while the architecture shows both colonial villas and traditional temple structures.
The area connects to major South Indian cities through an airport, rail lines and several ports. Travelers can reach the different districts by train or bus, with Puducherry itself serving as a transport hub for the region.
The four districts exist as separate enclaves within Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, each with its own administrative boundaries. Visitors sometimes travel long distances between the parts, as they do not share borders.
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