Mahe Pondicherry

Have any of you been here? If so, what can you tell me about the place? Does it still have the feel of old France? Any French speakers still lingering? Would it be worth a stop over? If so, any suggestions on how to stop of on the way to Kerala - no travel books discuss it, so I don't know about buses or trains.

thanks,
kendrick

I know of a Keralite friend who is from there. But the impression I got is that it is much smaller settlement compared to Pondicherry and offcourse it has a record number of liquor shops taking advantage of the Union Territory prices.

If you are lucky you will find a french speaking local or foreigner as chances are high due to "French speaking locals can get French citizenship"

Just to avoid any confusion (it confused me), Mahé or Mayyazhi is a former French colony in Kerala, part of the Union Territory of Pondicherry (Puducherry) which is based in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh besides it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puducherry

Sorry Viaggero, no suggestions for you. You had me looking up some stuff on Pondicherry when I came across the above (My original comment was going to be But, it's nowhere near to Kerala! )

The old Union territory of Pondicherry is comprising of Pondicherry proper in tamil nadu, Mahe in Kerala ,Karaikal in TamilNadu south of Pondicherry and another small territory in Andhra Pradesh and also Chandernagar or chanderpur in South West Bengal.

Mindgames,

I am aware of the political structure of the Union territory and some of its history. However, as I am going to Kerala and not to Tamil Nadu, stopping at Mahe would be my only chance to see the French influince on India.

Not sure if Chandernagar falls under Puducherry really, it seems to be an old French colony alright though. Anyway, it's outside the scope of this thread. (* Reading up now: I guess it did until the 1950's.)

Viaggero, as it's right in northern Kerala I see no reason why there would be transport complications there no. There's certainly no issue of moving "on" to Kerala -- you'll be firmly in Kerala already for all practical purposes. These are just local and post-colonial divisons that as a visitor you'll barely notice really. My rather old Lonely Planet suggests that French influences in Mahé today are minimal, as it claims they are lacking in those other enclaves save for Pondicherry itself (and there it appears largely due to modern revivals and restoration); that it holds little attraction to the visitor other than being a favorite stop for truck drivers to get their cheap booze indeed (alcohol regulations differ in those Union Territories); and that in fact at the time it was too small to have a bus station, but buses would stop just outside of town.

This may all have changed of course, and I wouldn't necessarily let it put you off. It suggests nearby (8 kms.) Thalasseri (Tellicherry) is the more pleasant place to stay; at the time, I found this a pleasant enough sleepy fishing town to spend a day or two in, with few if any pale-faceds around if I remember correctly. There's not a lot going on, and the beaches are of the here-be-fishermen variety; it's OK for a stop though and a look at life minus the tourists, if it still is. I read only much later about some supposed local sights (the odd temple or so) that I at least managed to remain blissfully unaware of. In Thalasseri, that is. I didn't notice any French influences here, but maybe I was just unaware of them.

Mahé I just can't tell you about, never visited.

Hi ,

I visited Mahe (Enroute Kozhikode to Kannur) last month. As such Mahe doesn't have anything much ..When we drive in NH-17 , We are forced to enter Mahe and it's 2 kms of highway and then again back to Kerala. The place is not so impressive and all through this 2 kms stretch, I have seen 10 Wineshops (Due to Union Territory Rule, Alocohol is very very cheap that too when compared to Kerala where government Levy 100% tax on IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) and 4 Gas Stations (For ex. Speed petrol Costs 54 rs in Mysore / 51 rs in Kerala / 43 Rs in Mahe & around 15 Tiles & Electronics Shops & thats it.


If you try to compare Pondicherry (Tamilnadu) Or KAraikal (Pondicherry -Tamilnadu) , Mahe is not having that French Flavour atleast from the initial look!.

When we enter Pondicherry From Tamilnadu , We will feel the difference with clean / wide planned roads etc But here at mahe it's 100% like Kerala only.

But you have quite a lot to see in KAnnur(Around 17 kms from Talaserry)(Muzhapilangad Drive-in Beach, Chal beach) Or in Talaserry (around 15 kms from Mahe) .

There are "N" number of buses to Mahe from Kozhikode, Kannur & Talasserry.

I have travelled extensively around this area and hence if youhave any further questions , Please post !

i think you wont see any of that. all you can see is liquor shops. i crossed that town on my way from kalicut to kannur and i wanted to have a pepsi or a cup of tea. all i could find was liquor shops, one after another. all the people on the street were drunk.

I was there 6 years ago, stayed at my friend's place very close to the beach. Its a very very small town, really nothing at all to see.

Forget the liquor shop, the toddy here is excellent, although a lot of the toddy shops have closed down recently. You should try some

Last summer I stopped off in Diu and Daman and felt that the towns had a European feel to them.

Based on what you guys are saying, Mahe's architecture and people are no different than any other place in Kerala and that a stop off isn't really worth it? Does this summarize it?

In my opinion, Yes...

Depends on how you look at it I guess; the French or any other past aside, stopping off in some Keralan smalltown where few other tourists go can be very much worth it as such, I think.

I agree with the Mediterranean "feel" no matter how vaguely of Diu town, found it very nice really. Not so here then, I guess, and going by the above. Although those sleepy towns with their decaying villas & a sense of tropical languor... yes, the colonial past certainly makes itself felt in Kerala, too, I'd say.

I am planning to visit Mahe, Pondicherry. Can anyone help me to visit places in and around Mahe. Is it a good place to visit. Can we take room in Mahe or outside of it. Any information from you will be much appreciated.

Prem,

Hope you read through the other posts in this thread. Mahe particularly has nothing much for sight-seeing.

Velu