11 Long Weekend Trips in India Perfect for Quick Breaks

7. Pondicherry — French Quarter and Seaside Calm

Pondicherry’s tidy boulevards and seaside promenade make a gentle weekend escape from South India’s cities. Begin with a walk through the French Quarter to admire colonial facades, and pop into a café for a crêpe or filter coffee. On day two, drive out to Auroville for its quiet Matrimandir gardens and community craft shops. For evenings, the Promenade offers sea breeze and local snacks like sundal and fresh-caught fish. Accommodation is mostly boutique guesthouses and small heritage hotels that reflect the town’s Franco-Tamil mix. Approximate travel times (confirm before booking): Delhi — 2–3 hour flight to Chennai + 3–4 hour drive; Mumbai — 1.5–2 hour flight to Chennai + drive; Bengaluru — 3–4 hour drive or 1 hour flight to Chennai + drive; Chennai — 3–4 hour drive or short train; Kolkata — 2.5–3 hour flight to Chennai + drive. Best visits are between October and March when the heat eases and sea breezes are pleasant. Respect local customs at Ashram sites when visiting.