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Union Territory of Pondicherry
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French Institute
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French Institute

See all things to do
See all things to do
French Institute
4
What people are saying
“Great place for scholars and history buffs”
Feb 2020
A great place if you are a historian looking for a range of archival material on culture, religion, environment related to Pondicherry and French Colonial rule, as well as the culture of the Tamil provinces. Great collection of books in many Indian languages apart from French and English, as well as palm leaf manuscripts and pictures. The building itself is a historic and overlooking the sea.
Thecatsmum4
By Thecatsmum4
“Small Museum not a lot to see”
Dec 2019
We were advised to pop in here by our hotel, they were renovating when we visited so only got to go into the small museum at the bottom. No entry fee. The exhibits were interesting with some old games from the past but only about 15 minutes required.
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0.3 kmParks
Seaside Promenade
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Ananda Ranga Pillai House
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0.3 kmArchitectural Buildings
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428
0.5 kmMonuments & Statues
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
63 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
31
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Ben DP
Mumbai, India77 contributions
Great place for scholars and history buffs
Feb 2020
A great place if you are a historian looking for a range of archival material on culture, religion, environment related to Pondicherry and French Colonial rule, as well as the culture of the Tamil provinces. Great collection of books in many Indian languages apart from French and English, as well as palm leaf manuscripts and pictures. The building itself is a historic and overlooking the sea.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thecatsmum4
Kettering, UK2,210 contributions
Small Museum not a lot to see
Dec 2019
We were advised to pop in here by our hotel, they were renovating when we visited so only got to go into the small museum at the bottom. No entry fee.

The exhibits were interesting with some old games from the past but only about 15 minutes required.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ST_INDIA
New Delhi, India1,104 contributions
Beautiful building
Sep 2019 • Friends
It’s really a beautiful building with French architecture and colors. I had seen this building from outside only and it will definitely catch your attention for sure.
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
François L
5 contributions
Don't confuse the French consulate and the French institute
Feb 2019 • Friends
I read some experiences of travellers : too many people make a confusion between the two, neighbouring and yellow, buildings of the French Institute of Pondicherry and the Consulate of France. Too many photos of the Consulate are on this page! The Consulate is at the south of the Institute: it is in charge with visas and the welfare of French citizens in Pondicherry. It cannot be visited. The Institute is a research institute: it can be visited. It charges 100 Rs for entering the beautiful heritage building, visiting the permanent exhibition that explains all the types of research conducted here (from forest ecology to sanskrit palm-leaf manuscripts), wandering in the garden, and having a great view on the sea from the roof-top.
Written 16 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ganu r
New Jersey151 contributions
Excellent School.
Dec 2018 • Family
If I had seen this French Institute when I had my Son who was 5 Years of Age I would have PUT him year.
He would have been in EU now not USA.
Written 17 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NLB
Union Territory of Pondicherry, India385 contributions
French quarter building
Feb 2019 • Friends
I attended the painting exhibition here by local artists depicting the Pondicherry life. The venue, though small was very well maintained.
Written 12 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappySheep
Wellington, New Zealand1,610 contributions
Building impressive
Nov 2018 • Friends
With its fine building part of the heritage porfolio of POndy, check it out, and also it runs programmes for French speakers
Written 4 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charlesnsc73
Kannur, India412 contributions
French consulate
Oct 2018 • Friends
..we came across this mansion while exploring the French town...
It can be easily identified by the bright yellow color of the mansion...it is also heavily guarded by police...so that no unauthorized entries are made in...It also acts as French High Commission as well. Excellent work being done in the fields of Indology and ecology here. If you are doing research in these fields, this institute has the potential to enrich your subject area. Entry ticket is Rs 100. Library open to public Monday to Friday timings 9 am - 1 pm & 2 pm - 5:30 pm.

Written 17 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rustinailus
Melbourne, Australia49 contributions
Fascinating Franco-Indian history
Jun 2018 • Friends
Interesting side trip when visiting the old town. Some great maps and plans of the original Dutch and French colonies. Great view from the balcony of the beach and old fortification (?). Worth if it your are a history buff.
Written 3 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vmraghunath
Bengaluru, India54 contributions
Not much to see here
May 2018 • Couples
Apart from a beautiful colonial building, there is nothing much to see here. You may visit it at the fag end of your trip if you have some time to kill.
Written 30 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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French Institute (Pondicherry) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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