Pondicherry, Former French colonial settlement in Tamil Nadu, India.
The city spans along the Bay of Bengal with French Quarter streets named after French figures and Tamil Quarter displaying traditional Indian architecture.
François Martin founded this French East India Company trading post in 1674, which remained under French control until its transfer to India in 1954.
The French Quarter features colonial mansions, while the Tamil Quarter contains traditional houses, creating two distinct architectural and social spaces.
The city grid system makes navigation simple, with east-west streets leading to the sea and north-south streets running perpendicular to the coast.
French remains an official language alongside Tamil, with street signs, government buildings, and police uniforms displaying both linguistic traditions.
Location: Puducherry
Inception: 1674
Founders: François Martin
Elevation above the sea: 3 m
Website: https://py.gov.in
GPS coordinates: 11.93406,79.83064
Latest update: June 6, 2025 17:46
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