Pondicherry Museums

Pondicherry Museum

Located in the former residence of the French Administrator, the Museum is well worth a visit as it is a fine example of a grand two-storey residence. It also has an excellent collection of rare bronzes and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties and artifacts excavated from Arikamedu, including remnants of Greek and Roman jars, 200 year old beads made from glass and precious stones and even objects from glass and precious stones and even objects form the Tsung period in China. The museum also has a Geology room, a shell and fossil room and a collection of handicrafts, coins, church relics and French furniture. Also on display is Dupleix’s bed. Pondicherry Museum is open from 10.00 – 17. 00 hrs on all days except Monday and public holidays.

Children’s Museum

A small museum located next to the Botanical Gardens, it has a good collection of snail shells from the Pondicherry region.

Jawahar Toy Museum

Located next to the old lighthouse on Goubert Avenue, the museum is open on all days except Monday. This rather unusual museum has a collection of over 120 dolls, each one dressed in costumes from different Indian states. Also on display is a little ‘fairyland’ with a tiny Ganesha watching over all the proceedings.