INTRODUCTION

Puducherry's ambience is not influenced or dominated by one fabulous heritage monument or

by amazing natural surroundings, except perhaps the sea. Puducherry itself is "heritage", as a
town and as a conglomerate of different cultural influences. These influences find expression
in its architecture and streetscapes, in its people and visitors, and in a subtle feeling which is
peculiarly "Pondy".

The town is planned on a grid pattern from its inception. Cities like Ernakulam in Kerala also
built in a grid pattern were planned and built much later, while its twin-town Cochin had
developed at the same time as Puducherry in a more clustered manner.

The town was divided in a French section and Tamil section, with its respective population and
architectural differences and each with its own particular streetscapes.

In French Town, the roads are flanked by colonial style buildings with long compound walls
and stately gates, behind which life unfolds. The facades have often vertical columns and tall
windows and are coloured cream, yellow and pink.

In Tamil Town, the streets are lined by verandahs and extended porches where its residents
would gather and passing guests would spend the night. The colours here are green, blue and
brown, while the facades convey horizontal and low features.

Sights are manifold with pastel coloured churches and bright temple towers, Joan of Arc's
heavenward gaze vies with the tall carved pillars from Gingee at the seafront, cricket competes
with petanque and the Park becomes a green, peaceful oasis where these complementary
contrasts meet.
FRENCH QUARTER
The French part of the town was built along the sea on sand dunes.
It is characterised by long wide streets with stately colonial styled
buildings. The residential buildings are comparatively simple, solid
yet varied. They have flat roofs, an inner courtyard with garden
and colonnaded porticos serve a double function of protecting from
sun and rain, and serving as a transition space to the rest of the
house.

The public buildings usually are surrounded by a large fenced-in

compound. At times French models were used, which were adapted
to suit local conditions. These buildings often have an impressive
stair to an elevated ground floor and a colonnaded facade.
The street facades are usually characterized by a continuous construction with high garden walls and elaborate gates. The
Facades are divided into smaller panels by use of vertical pilasters and horizontal cornices. The windows are usually arched and
have wooden louver shutters. The balconies are often built over iron brackets. Parapets are simple and at times feature
terracotta pot designs.

High ceilings, tall arched doors and windows with louvers dominate the space inside the houses. Floors are of polished and has
coloured cement or tiles. Coloured Belgian glass is set in the arched wooden frames above doors and porticos.

The street facades are usually characterized by a continuous construction with high garden walls and elaborate gates. The
Facades are divided into smaller panels by use of vertical pilasters and horizontal cornices. The windows are usually arched and
have wooden louver shutters. The balconies are often built over iron brackets. Parapets are simple and at times feature
terracotta pot designs.

High ceilings, tall arched doors and windows with louvers dominate the space inside the houses. Floors are of polished and has
coloured cement or tiles. Coloured Belgian glass is set in the arched wooden frames above doors and porticos.