Classic weekend
2 days · French Quarter, then Auroville. 9 stops over 2 days, with walking and driving times between them.
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Day 1
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White Town
French Quarter
The old French Quarter: a grid of quiet streets lined with mustard-yellow colonial villas, cafés and boutiques. Best explored on foot.
- 12 min walk from White Town
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Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Ashram
The spiritual community founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926. Visitors file quietly past the flower-covered samadhi in the courtyard.
- 2 min walk from Ashram
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Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Hindu temple
A much-loved Ganesha temple in White Town that predates the French, busy with worshippers through the day.
- 10 min walk from Manakula Vinayagar Temple
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Café des Arts
Cafe
A laid-back café in an old house on Rue Suffren, with vintage furniture, crêpes, baguettes and good coffee.
- 10 min walk from Café des Arts
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Promenade Beach (Rock Beach)
Public beach
The town's seafront: a long rock-lined promenade along Goubert Avenue that fills with walkers at sunrise and after dark.
Day 2
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Auroville Visitors Centre
Tourist information center
The starting point for any Auroville visit: exhibitions, boutiques, cafés and the pass for the walk to the Matrimandir viewing point.
- 15 min walk from Auroville Visitors Centre
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Matrimandir
Tourist attraction
The golden sphere at the heart of Auroville, built for silent concentration. The viewing point is open to day visitors; the inner chamber needs booking ahead.
- 2.6 km · about 9 min drive from Matrimandir
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Tanto Pizzeria
Italian restaurant
A popular wood-fired pizzeria on the Auroville road.
- 2.3 km · about 8 min drive from Tanto Pizzeria
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Auroville Beach
Beach
A quieter beach off the East Coast Road near Auroville, good for an unhurried swim or sunrise.
Where to stay for this trip
Stay in White Town and drive to Auroville for day 2 (about 21 min each way).