Often described as a sleepy French provincial town, Pondicherry retains a distinct Gallic flavour. Pondicherry, established as capital of all the French territories in India in 1674, has tree-lined boulevards, Catholic churches, colonial mansions and chic cafes. Stroll along the 3 km seafront, to explore the St. Tropez of southern India, and visit the Gandhi statue and the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram.