Memorials and Statues

The Statue of Joan of Arc at Dumas Street

This famous marble statue of the heroic French girl Joan d’Arc, is located in front of the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, in the middle of a garden.

Ananda Ranga Pillai House

This famous house in the Tamil-French style was built in 1735 by Ananda Rangapillai, the chief Dubash of Dupleix, and the Governor of Pondicherry. Its architecture represents an unusual fusion of French and Indian styles. This once lavishly furnished house offered fascinating glimpses into a bygone era. However, today it has fallen upon hard times and retains very little of its former glory. Special permission is required to visit the mansion.

Gandhi Statue

The highlight of Pondicherry, this four-meter statue of Mahatma Gandhi is surrounded by eight magnificent granite pillars, which were brought from Gingee, a fort some 70 km. from Pondicherry.

Nehru Statue

Located across the street from the imposing Gandhi statue, the statue is flanked b four pillars from gingee. The space in front plays host to various cultural, musical and commercial activities through the year.

French War Memorial

The French War Memorial on Goubert Avenue is a solemn reminder of those brave soldiers who laid down their lives for their country during the First World War. Every year on the 14th of July (Bastille Day) the memorial is beautifully illuminated and homage is paid to those brave martyrs.

Bharathi Memorial Museum

Subramnya Bharathi (1882-1921), Bharathiyar to all, was a Tamil poet-patriot who arrived in Pondicherry in 1908 a fugitive from British India. The Free French air brought out the best in Bharathi and some of his finest patriotic and romantic compositions were penned here. Bharathi’s home also known as Bharathi Musuem, is located on No. 20, Eswaran Dharmaraja Koil Street.

Bharathidasan Museum

The Bharathidasan Museum, on No. 95 Perumal Koil Street, was the home of the renowned Pondicherry born poet and playwright Bharathidasan (1891 – 1960) (his name meaning ‘Disciple of Bharathi’). Bharathidasan’s poems compare with Bharathi’s in literary achievement and poetic fervor. He also wrote scripts for films on issues such as Dravidian culture and the rights of women.