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The Cycle Tour in Pondicherry (Pondy) is the best way to explore the streets of the white town. You can do this heritage tour by either Walking, Cycling or Cycle Rickshaw. Cycling around the beautiful streets of the White Town, dotted with French buildings (in shades of yellow and grey), old statues, Ashrams, etc., will give a different perspective on Pondicherry.
This cycle tour of Pondicherry will cover a distance of eight kilometres and more than ten landmarks like Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Golconde, French Institute of Puducherry, institutions of importance and their cultural amalgamation with the Tamils.
The cycle tour will cover all the must-visit places of importance in Pondicherry heritage quarters, like French quarters, with the local storyteller. Our guides have a strong understanding of Pondicherry and its Culture. This cycle tour will also give an idea of how the white town name came, what the French Quarter and the Tamil Quarter on the boulevard, etc.
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Booking.comTour Introduction:
The cycle tour starts at Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper factory at Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai. You have to report to the location at 7.15 Am so that you can choose your cycle. Once you select the cycle, the guide will start the tour at 7.30 Am. The first stop will be at Golconde, where the guide will introduce Pondicherry’s history for about 10 to 15 min, and he will give an idea of what you will experience in the next 120 minutes during the tour.
After the introduction, the guide will cycle you to the French architectural heritage buildings in pastels of yellow and grey on the streets of St Gilles and Francois Martin. At the French Institute of Puducherry (IFP), the guide will explain the history and the war details.
Laboratoires Senteurs:
The next stop after IFP will be at Laboratoires Senteurs. The guide will explain the story behind the senteurs. It was started in 1958, and the Mother named ‘Senteurs’, which means ‘Fragrance’ in French. Senteurs is a perfume palace where you will exclusively get Ashram-made perfumes, essential oils, and Attar oils. You’ll also find healing products, cosmetics, lifestyle home accessories, cashew toffees, organic honey, clothes, postcards, ayurvedic products, and many other hand-crafted items. You can witness the beauty of bougainvillaea trees over the buildings opposite laboratories senteurs and in the streets of the White town.
After that Arotherapy tour, you will visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The guide will explain the Ashram and its departments, how Sri Aurobindo started this Ashram, his philosophical yoga, etc. This session will give you a different perspective on Aurobindo Ashram.
Other important places covered in this cycle tour of Pondicherry are the Government Square area, Bharathi Park, French Memorial, Hotel De Ville, Notre Dame des Anges, Cluny Embroidery, Hotel De L’Orient, etc., If time permits, additional places like Gratitude Heritage, The Spot, and Alliance Française de Pondichéry will be covered.
Hindu Quarter:
In the Hindu Quarter, places covered if time permits are Chetty Temple, Vysial Street, Market area, Calve College, Bharathiyar Memorial, Maison Perumal, etc. You will reach back to the starting point at Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper factory.
Heritage Tour Options: Walking Tour, Cycling Tour or Cycle Rickshaw Tour
Ideal Timings: Morning – 8 am to 10 am or Evening – 3 pm to 5 pm
Price/Cost:
1. Rs.1500 per person for one
2. Rs.1000 per person for two people
3. Rs.850 per person for 3-4 people
4. Rs.700 per person for 5-6 people
5. Rs.600 per person for 7-10 people
*If you opt for a Cycle Rikshaw tour, then, Extra Rs.700 for 1 Cycle Rickshaw for two people
Duration: 2 Hours
For bookings, Whatsapp: +91-7604942994
Note: Wear Caps and carry Water bottles and Snacks for the tour.
Heritage Hotels that you can stay at to get the feel of French architecture are “Maison Perumal Hotel“, “Palais De Mahe“, “Le Dupleix, “La Villa“, and “Grand Hotel D’ Europe“, etc.
Ideal for: City lovers, Architecture, Local pop-culture, Personalities and History lovers, Ashram, French and Tamil connection.
Nearby Attractions and Activities: Kayaking in Mangrove Forest, Arts and Crafts Village, White Town
 is the best way to explore the streets of the white town, and it will cover a distance of eight kilometres.){kind=link}