The Lighthouse and Fishing Village Walk — Pondicherry

From the promenade south through a working fishing village to the new lighthouse. Fabric warehouses with traditional looms, the old lighthouse on its circular base, and a 360-degree view from the top for 5 rupees.

The promenade on Goubert Avenue is the obvious starting point. Walk south from the Gandhi statue, past the Schoelcher bust on Port Road, toward the old lighthouse built by French engineer Louis Guerre in 1835. The old lighthouse is now a landmark rather than a working light (it was decommissioned in 1979) but its proportions are elegant: 29 metres tall on a circular white base, visible for 15 miles at sea in its working days.

Continue south through the fishing village. This is the route worth taking for the walk itself, not just the destination: fabric warehouses line the lanes with traditional wooden looms visible through open doors, weavers working cloth in patterns that have not changed much in a century.

The new lighthouse in Dubrayapet (2km south of the White Town) is a red and white striped tower built in 1979 when the old light was retired. The spiral staircase of 250 steps leads to a viewing deck with a 360-degree view over the whole of Pondicherry, the Bay of Bengal, and the low flat country stretching west. Entry is 5 rupees, plus 25 rupees if you carry a camera.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm. Closed Mondays. Occasional maintenance closures.

Note on swimming: The beach along the Pondicherry promenade is not safe for swimming. The current is strong, warning signs are posted, and lifeguards are present. Auroville Beach, 30km north, is the nearest safe swimming beach.