French Institute
French Institute
4
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4.0
63 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
31
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Ben DP
Mumbai, India75 contributions
Feb 2020
A great place if you are a historian looking for a range of archival material on culture, religion, environment related to Pondicherry and French Colonial rule, as well as the culture of the Tamil provinces. Great collection of books in many Indian languages apart from French and English, as well as palm leaf manuscripts and pictures. The building itself is a historic and overlooking the sea.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CUnow
Switzerland813 contributions
Feb 2014 • Solo
Some of the reviews here mention different buildings and locations, all worth a visit, if you wish to get a more intimate view of the French quarter of Pondicherry and its gorgeous architecture.
The first two are institutes for research scholars. They are: The French Institute at 11 rue St. Louis
The Ecole Française d'Extrème Orient (French School of Asian Studies) at 16-19 rue Dumas
+ two different locations of the Alliance Française (the French cultural institute):
1st building: the main centre at 58 rue Suffren, with the language school, the public library (opening times Mon-Sat 8.30 AM to 12.30 PM – 3.30 PM to 7.00 PM, with many French magazines), and the auditorium screening films (mostly French movies with subtitles in English) every Sunday at 6 p.m.
2nd building, the Maison Colombani, located at 37 rue Dumas, houses a multimedia centre, an art gallery and the Café de Flore.
The first two are institutes for research scholars. They are: The French Institute at 11 rue St. Louis
The Ecole Française d'Extrème Orient (French School of Asian Studies) at 16-19 rue Dumas
+ two different locations of the Alliance Française (the French cultural institute):
1st building: the main centre at 58 rue Suffren, with the language school, the public library (opening times Mon-Sat 8.30 AM to 12.30 PM – 3.30 PM to 7.00 PM, with many French magazines), and the auditorium screening films (mostly French movies with subtitles in English) every Sunday at 6 p.m.
2nd building, the Maison Colombani, located at 37 rue Dumas, houses a multimedia centre, an art gallery and the Café de Flore.
Written 25 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Partha C
Pondicherry, India1,247 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
French Institute is a beautiful French Architecture and you can find History of Pondicherry. Beach side the buildings and reading very interesting information.
Written 22 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PadrePeter
Campanillas189 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The Institute is set in a beautiful building around a courtyard, and is clearly influenced by French architectural styles. It has a lively programme of cultural events, and there is often an exhibition worth visiting.
Written 30 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ankush s
46 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
As my title of the review says it all, don't go anywhere else - just head over to this place, ask for the way to library, grab a seat by the seaside and enjoy the book that you always carried around but never read.
The library is also meant to be a research center, so if you are a researcher then this is a heavenly place you have been always looking for :)
Note: It is not really a tourist spot. The building is a nice French era building, with some pamplets pasted around about old Pondicherry. Also, you might not get anything to eat up there. So, go along with a small snack or sandwich :)
The library is also meant to be a research center, so if you are a researcher then this is a heavenly place you have been always looking for :)
Note: It is not really a tourist spot. The building is a nice French era building, with some pamplets pasted around about old Pondicherry. Also, you might not get anything to eat up there. So, go along with a small snack or sandwich :)
Written 3 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amrit Pal S
Bengaluru, India26 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
Nice institute. Nothing much to view here. If you are a post graduate student or you do some research, then you are allowed to access the library. Else, just a normal institute
Written 12 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smeezan
London124 contributions
July 2016
After having been recommended this place a no.of times to check out, we had to make it. Having missed the entry hours, we finally made it on our third attempt. So be mindful of the timings. Unfortunately rntry was restricted to members only, so try and find someone (even just outside) to get you in. The architecture of the place is lovely, it sets you off in some other country side, French to be precise. We took tons of pictures there, added the charm to our entire Pondicherry trip. Go during the day.
Written 18 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peregrineri
New Delhi, India925 contributions
Nov 2014
I've always been fond of the French Institute, though I liked it better when there was more emphasis on Sanskrit literature. Their library overlooking the sea is especially pleasant, and I've spent many an hour there doing research. The building is a beautiful, historic building in the traditional style.
Written 22 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nivedita K
Mumbai, India129 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
We visited this place on a Sunday and it was beautiful. I wanted to see the free screening that they hold ever Sunday evening at 6. The screening is however held in another building at 63 house in heritage walking area, everyone can go for the screening no registration required.
The guard is particular and checks your bag, the auditorium for the screening is clean and massive. We watched the The Furie documentary on World War 1.
The guard is particular and checks your bag, the auditorium for the screening is clean and massive. We watched the The Furie documentary on World War 1.
Written 10 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ST_INDIA
New Delhi, India1,125 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
It’s really a beautiful building with French architecture and colors. I had seen this building from outside only and it will definitely catch your attention for sure.
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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