Pondicherry

Scoop up an 18th-century French town and place it in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu, India, and you have the vibrant city of Pondicherry. While traditionally referred to as Pondicherry, this breezy city was under French colonial rule from the late 17th century until 1954. Despite its undeniable Tamil roots, Pondicherry retains countless traces of its Gallic past, from pastel-hued heritage hotels and charming churches to an array of croissant-slinging cafes, particularly found in White Town, the city’s French Quarter.