Palais de Mahe

Located in the heart of the French quarter of Pondicherry and a stone’s throw away from the famed promenade overlooking the Bay of Bengal is the graceful Palais de Mahe. The elegant colonial retreat reflects the city’s character shaped by both Tamil and French history and culture. Resembling a French mansion with its grand courtyard, long verandahs with whitewashed walls, arched doorways, attractive pillars, and period furniture Palais de Mahe offers a melting pot of Franco-Tamil cultural experiences. A cocktail bar, a poolside café, and a roof-top restaurant serve the best of local produce, freshly sourced and cooked to perfection a fusion of styles and influences.

After a day of pottering around Pondicherry’s historic buildings, unforgettable rickshaw rides, art gallery hopping, and exploring charming side-walk cafes, guests return to the mansion’s candlelit roof for fabulous views and the bracing breeze of the sea.

 

Location

Palais de Mahe is located on Rue de Bussy in Pondicherry’s French quarter. It is located a few footsteps from the famed promenade and is within easy reach of many of the fine public buildings, parks, shopping places, and cafés. The French and Tamil quarters of the town are separated by the Grand Canal, a 3-km-long canal that regulates the flow of rainwater to prevent flooding during excessive rains in the city.

Things to know

  • The nearest airport is Chennai (2.5 hours drive), however, there is a small airport in Pondicherry with limited connectivity. The Pondicherry railway line is one of the oldest rail links in India, it is located about 1km from the hotel.
  • Explore the Sunday Market at Mahatma Gandhi road, Chinnakadai for a flurry of colors and a wide range of products, from home goods and clothing to books and knick-knacks.

 

Rooms & Suites

The rooms in Palais de Mahe are large and spacious with distinct French elements while the style is a blend of the old and new. The rooms have high ceilings, traditional roof beams, period furniture, and oodles of charm. There are three types of rooms, starting with Mahe Chambré.  The next category Palais Chambré Deluxe comes with a small living space in the bedroom and one of the rooms in this category comes with a private terrace.

 

Restaurants & Bars

The food at Palais de Mahe is fresh and local; the chef ensures this by planning the menu according to the result of the fresh fish and produce available.

The bright-hued Earth Café at Palais de Mahé opens out to the pool and serves up fine coffees, teas, and refreshers which can be enjoyed by the pool. The rooftop restaurant serves fresh grilled seafood that’s locally sourced and exquisite desserts with panoramic views of picturesque White Town along with some of the freshest food in the region. Classic meets contemporary at the Cocktail Bar which serves some of the best cocktails in town.

Spa & Wellness

The courtyard pool helps cool off Pondicherry’s sweltering heat while also being a great spot to take in the beauty of the hotel’s architectural splendour.

Experiences

Pondicherry’s White Town is best explored at your own pace while on foot, on a bicycle, or on a cycle rickshaw. Skirting the seaside promenade, Goubert Avenue is dotted with charming reminders of French rule: a 19th-century lighthouse, the statue of Dupleix, the spectacular Notre Dame de Agnes church, and several other heritage edifices. Amble through the streets divided into well-manicured layouts and discover heritage villas, quaint cafes, and old statues.

The streets are lined with heritage buildings, art galleries, and antique shops, stocked with locally handcrafted treasures. Explore this rich history in a cycle rickshaw or heritage walks or cycling tours from Palais de Mahe or its sister hotel Maison Perumal, located in the Tamil Quarter taking the time to stop and discover hidden treasures.

 

Sustainability and Responsible Tourism

CGH Earth Palais de Mahe enables and works closely with local communities & small-scale businesses in and around Pondicherry. In fact, from the fabrics to the decorations – all products used by them are sourced within a 50-mile radius