Palais de Mahé stands on Rue de Bussy inside Pondicherry's White Town, about fifty metres back from the seafront — close enough to walk to the Goubert Avenue promenade, far enough back to be quiet at night.
It is built in the manner of the quarter's period houses: a central courtyard, deep verandahs, pillared colonnades, period furniture, and a pool in the grounds. Eighteen rooms, run by CGH Earth, whose way of working a place is the reason we use them across Kerala as well.
Why We Place Guests Here
- White Town is best walked, and this puts guests inside it rather than on the ring road looking in.
- CGH Earth's heritage walks cover the French Quarter and the Tamil Quarter both — the second half is the one most visitors miss.
- Eighteen rooms keeps it a house rather than a hotel, which suits Pondicherry's scale.
The Table
- Les Alizes — the restaurant
- Earth Café
- Cocktail bar
The Elevated India Signature
The Tamil Quarter walk at dusk, when the Franco-Tamil streets are at their most legible.
Questions, Answered
Where should you stay in Pondicherry?
Inside White Town, the French Quarter, where the colonial grid and the seafront promenade are walkable. Palais de Mahé is on Rue de Bussy, one street back from the sea.
How far is Pondicherry from Chennai?
About 150 km, roughly two and a half hours by road, usually taken down the East Coast Road with Mamallapuram on the way.
Journeys That Take You There
Explore the destination guide: Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu ↗
Photography: Photograph courtesy CGH Earth