Promenede - What makes it special?

Beaches!

What wallops your mind when you think of beaches?

A great expanse of water, foamy white waves hitting the shoreline, soft, soothing breeze and you enjoying this beautiful sight, right? But I should say, You are gonna be baffled when you step into the Promenede!

At first, like anyone I too thought, how can a beach be called a beach when you can not play in the waves??

Promenede is a rocky shoreline, where entry into the waters can not happen! But …….. You can spend a whole day here!!!!!!!!!! That’s something!

There you are, at the entrance of the Goubert Avenue - the northern end!

Among the places of interest in Pondicherry, the Promenede Beach occupies a special place in the hearts of the tourists, thanks to the memorials and monuments sprinkled along this beach. The best thing about this awe-inspiring beach is that, though there are quite many buildings along the Goubert Avenue that runs along the beach, they are built in a way that doesn’t impinge on its beauty and the calmness! Needless to say, these monuments play a vital role in enhancing the panoramic beauty of this union territory. Pondicherry has many beaches, but it’s always great to kick start your beach combing with the Promenede, as this one offers you the finest view of the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal!

Anyone who enters the Goubert Avenue, from the north will be awestruck by the splendour of the Promenede beach! Mornings are better for a leisurely walk along this beach, as it is less-crowded.Though crowded, the beach road,  becomes a traffic restricted area in the evenings! 

As you step into the avenue, salute the Indian soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for our motherland - the Indian War Memorial. A rifle, flanked by four pillars – a symbol of the sacrifice of the Indian Soldiers, a memorial built by the Government of Pondicherry.


As you move on, you can see the French Counsulate, the Secretariat, Aurobindo School, Splendour, an auro shop etc.

Almost in the middle of the Goubert Avenue, stands Asia’s biggest Gandhi Statue. The Statue is flanked by eight exquisitely hewn monolithic pillars, brought from the age-old Gingee Fort. This is the highlight of Pondicherry and one place which the tourists love! Weekends are very crowded here. On Saturday evenings, this place brings in a fair-like atmosphere, with the police band playing music! That’s amazing!

A step or two, you are at elegant French War Memorial, built in honour of the soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I. This graceful White Memorial is considered to be one of the architectural wonders of Pondicherry. Every year, on July 14th, on Bastille Day, this memorial is beautifully lit up. Even without the illumination, it stands tall, with all its charm!

As you move on, Le Café!

The 200-year old Le Café is one restaurant frequented by the locals and the tourists alike. This is the only building on the beach side and offers a splendid view of the bordering sea. It is a wonderful place to be in the evenings with family or friends. It was once Pondicherry’s harbour office! You can not really help stopping by the café to gaze at the sea and sip a cup of coffee. The deep blue waters will fascinate you!

Stroll on, and you will find, Place du Gouvernement, and the 29m-tall Old Lighthouse. It was first lighted on July 1, 1836. In 1931, the old fixed lamp was replaced by a revolving lantern. It is said that the guiding light could be seen even from a distance of 30km.

Towards the southern end of Goubert Avenue, there is small children’s park, and there stands the majestic statue of Dupleix , a French statesman, who was the Governer of Pondicherry. Dupleix expanded Pondicherry and changed it into a rich town. In memory of this great administrator, a 2.88m tall structure stands there, overlooking the sea.

Now, walk towards the sea, and that will lead you to a 284 m pier. This rocky walkway is amazing and if you are lucky to have the pier all for yourselves for a while, that is incredible!!   What a sight to behold – the merging of the sea and the sky!

Your visit to Pondicherry would never be complete without a stroll on this rocky shoreline! Sitting on the rocks there and enjoying the sunrise can be heavenly!!!!!!!!