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Pondicherry is like a portal that opens straight into the French Riviera! The picturesque French architecture, clear blue skies, and the beach promenade make Pondicherry the perfect destination for a holiday. The town has a rich culture of sustainability and spirituality which is reflected in the various places for shopping in Pondicherry. Handicrafts, fabrics, food items, home decor, you name it, they have it. You will be surprised by the variety of things these spots are selling. Some places are also known to sell everything under one roof that you could possibly need.
Shopping In Pondicherry: Top 20 Spots
We have curated a list of the best shopping area in Pondicherry keeping the interests of all kinds of travelers in mind. Take a look and decide which place you want to head to based on what you want to buy from there. These places sell everything that you could possibly need, so check out our list of places for shopping in Pondicherry:
1. Janaki
A unique boutique that captures the spirit of Pondicherry, Janaki has proven itself to be one of the best clothing shops in Pondicherry. All their products are sourced from eco-friendly and inclusive vendors. Their highlight is the organic skin care collection. Shopping in Pondicherry Sunday market is easy as this street market in Pondicherry is accessible from Janaki. You will have the time of your life here. Make sure to dress comfortably if you plan to shop for a solid 2-3 hours.
Location: Romain Rolland St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
What To Shop: Dresses
Must Read: 42 Best Places To Visit In Pondicherry: India’s French Colony!
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2. Casablanca
Casablanca is an iconic landmark. It has been one of the best shopping places in Pondicherry for almost two decades now. An ideal mix of mini-mall and boutique, it offers the best things to buy in Pondicherry. It also boasts of an incredible pottery collection! It is the best shopping mall in Pondicherry. Make sure to spend at least 2 hours here to find something worthwhile. Save Casablanca for the last. If you shop in a jiffy, you may lose out on some extraordinary souvenirs.
Location: 165, Mission St, Heritage Town, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM
What To Shop: Pottery collection and souvenirs
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3. Cluny Embroidery Center
The Cluny Embroidery Centre is more of an experience than a place for shopping in Pondicherry! The building itself is a stunning example of French architecture. All purchases help support these underprivileged women that can be seen working here on dainty embroidery items like table cloths and shawls. It is one of the best places for french shopping in Pondicherry. It is one of the best street shopping places in Pondicherry. Cluny Embroidery Center is the go-to place for all things traditional.
Location: No 46, Romain Rolland Street, White Town, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 8:30 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
What To Shop: Embroidery items
Suggested Read: 40 Things To Do In Pondicherry For A Fulfilling Retreat
4. Studio Ebony
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Studio Ebony is one of the best shopping area in Pondicherry for furniture and home décor items. Their cane furniture is excellent and fits in well with stylish and aesthetic décor. Their lampshades, centre tables, and side chairs are something to write home about! Studio Ebony has been lauded by several online publications for selling high-quality stuff. Make sure to buy something from here that will remind you of your Pondicherry trip.
Location: 82, Pedro Canagaraya Mudaliar St, MG Road Area, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 10 AM to 8:30 PM
What To Shop: Home decor items
Suggested Read: Nightlife In Pondicherry: 5 Underrated Yet Super Cool Experiences To Try
5. Anokhi
As the name suggests, Anokhi has a unique collection of ethnic women’s wear. One of the best places for clothes shopping in Pondicherry, it is famous for its collection of Ajrakh, Balotra, Naphthol, Bagru, and Sanganer fabrics. Anokhi was started with the aim of making ethnic women wear accessible and affordable to women of all shapes and sizes. It has successfully branched out to other parts of India as well. It is doing very well for itself.
Location: 1, Casern St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 10 AM to 7:30 PM
What To Shop: Ethnic wear
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6. The Cotton House
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Trendy and bright cotton home furnishings are what landed ‘The Cotton House’ among cheap shopping places in Pondicherry. The small shop is packed with all varieties of curtains, bed covers, and tablecloths. It’s pure joy for shoppers and offers the best and cheap shopping in Pondicherry. The Cotton House is an experience in its own right. We can describe it for you, but the best thing that you could do is possibly head there to have a first hand experience of this magnificent store.
Location: 27, Vysial St, Heritage Town, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
What To Shop: Cotton home furnishings
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7. Kalki
Kalki is the best place to go for pure indulgent shopping in Pondicherry. It has an exquisite collection of personal care products, fragrances, jewelry, and handmade products like pottery and stationery. It’s perfect for a pit stop to take souvenirs back home! Every woman has been to Kalki at least once in their lifetime to buy quaint little things to shop in Pondicherry. What’s stopping you? Head there now.
Location: 134, Mission St, Heritage Town, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 9:30 AM to 8:30 AM
What To Shop: Handmade products
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8. Titanic
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You can do all your Pondicherry shopping at cheap prices at the Titanic Factory Outlet. It stocks surplus of international brands like GAP and Benetton at dirt cheap rates. Definitely a must-visit for budget-brand shopping in Pondicherry! Titanic stores authentic low-priced products for men, women and kids. If you are vacationing in Pondicherry with family, make sure to stop by here and indulge.
Location: 33-A, Kosakadai Street, Heritage Town, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 9:30 AM to 9 PM
What To Shop: Products for men, women, and kids
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9. Auro Woodworks
On the lookout for perfect handicrafts for your home while on your Pondicherry shopping? Chances are you will find it at Auro Wood Works. The shop specialises in exquisite wood work and creates the best statement pieces of idols and deities. It is for sure one of the best shopping places in Pondicherry. Auro Wordworks has been in Pondicherry for quite some time now. You should make a beeline for this place if you’re looking for antique stores in Pondicherry. It will redefine your home furniture game.
Location: 44, M.G Road, Kottakuppam-605104, Auroville, Pondicherry
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
What To Shop: Handicrafts and wood work
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10. Hidesign
Wondering what to buy in Pondicherry? Check out Hidesign which is India’s premier leather brand and is headquartered in Pondicherry. It is the best shopping places to visit in Pondicherry for authentic and exclusive handcrafted leather goods. Their wallets, belts, and handbags are a must-buy. Hidesign has expanded to other states in India recently and is doing exceptionally well for itself. It is keen to put India on the global fashion map.
Location: 69, Jawaharlal Nehru Street, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM
What To Shop: Handcrafted leather goods
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11. Serenity Beach Bazaar
The Serenity Beach Bazaar has a super-cool vacation vibe and is one of the best shopping streets in Pondicherry. It is a village style bazaar and has handicrafts sourced locally and from Auroville. Other than shopping, its numerous food stalls make it a complete outing! The vibe of this market draws both Indians and foreign tourists from far and wide. You will fall in love with how calm and serene this place is, even though it is bustling with people. It will transport you to another world.
Location: Serenity Beach, Kottakuppam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu 605101
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM, (Open only on weekends)
What To Shop: Handicrafts
Suggested Read: 10 Pondicherry Beach Hotels For A Peaceful Stay
12. Kriti Eco Boutique
Shopping can often be a guilty pleasure, but not at Kriti Eco Boutique. Here, your shopping will actually contribute to a good cause. Like most shopping in Pondicherry, Kriti offers a variety of organic and sustainable products that are made by NGOs. Who doesn’t want to contribute to a good cause, especially when it involves shopping? Make sure to do your bit for the NGOs in Pondicherry.
Location: 6, H.M.Kassim Salai, Heritage Town, Puducherry, 605001
Timings: 10 AM to 7 PM
What To Shop: Organic products
13. SUND’Art
You’ll be hit by a blast of colors as you enter ‘SUNDart’! Offering a wonderful array of handmade items from children’s toys to clothing, the quirky cotton products make SUND’art a unique place for shopping in Pondicherry. SUND’Art is all things cool. If you’re looking for trendy and fashionable stuff, head here. Make sure you tell your friends about it too. You will be blown away by the warmth of the vendors.
Location: 44 Rue Aurobindo Street, Pondicherry 605001
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
What To Shop: Clothes
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14. Nehru Street
Nehru Street is the epitome of Pondicherry street shopping. From high range boutiques to shopping carts, this has it all and is often tagged as one of the best shopping streets in Pondicherry. Here, you can find local handmade products like pottery and clothing as well as daily consumer goods. You can haggle with the vendors, but we suggest you not to since you’re contributing to the local artistry community of Pondicherry. You don’t haggle at plush shopping malls in Pondicherry, then why here?
Location: Jawahar Lal Nehru Street, Pondicherry
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
What To Shop: Pottery items and clothes
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15. Goubert Market
If you are looking for shopping places in this region, do stop over at Goubert Market Pondicherry. The buzz of the market ebbs and flows with the day. You can find fresh produce here, including flowers and fish! It offers the most authentic experience of Indian street shopping in Pondicherry. You will be blown away by the warmth and the hospitality of the vendors.
Location: Goubert Street, Opp. Police Station, Nehru Street, Pondicherry
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM
What To Shop: Flowers
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16. Ma Pondy Cherie
Ma Pondy Cherie, one of the best and famous places to shop in Pondicherry, is a great spot for all those shoppaholic souls out there who admire the cute, little gift shops in Pondicherry and vibrant atmosphere. Boasting about all the quirky and trending designs, Ma Pondy Cherie has a lot to offer from tote bags and offbeat lampshades to quality clothing and eccentric coasters. The colorful and artistic walls of this store simply adds to the shopping experience, making it more fun and excititng. It seriously gets difficult to resist spending some money on such unconventional products.
Location: 29, Needarajapayar Street, MG Road Area, Puducherry, 605001, India
Timings: 10 am to 7:30 pm (Sun to Wed) | 10 am to 8:30 pm (Thurs to Sat)
What To Shop: Lampshades
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17. NavaVihan
Often tagged as the center of creativity, NavaVihan is one of those places to shop in Pondicherry that gives the local artists to showcase their skill. Attracting travelers and locals alike, the handicrafts sold in this store exhibits the next level of creativity. Apart from some alluring handicrafts, this store boasts educational items and desk calendars that are also artworks of local artists. No doubt, they are some of the popular things to buy in Pondicherry. NavaVihan is a unit that comes under the Sri Aurobindo Ashram where one can also find various raw materials such as handmade paper, natural materials including seeds, leaves, woods, and much more.
Location: 23, Rue De La Compagnie, Pondicherry- 605 001, India
Timings: 9 am to 12 pm | 1 pm to 7 pm (Closed on Sundays)
What To Shop: Handicrafts
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18. Zuka Choco-La
Making every chocolate lover’s dream come true, Zuka Choco-La is a place in Pondicherry where every traveler and local with a major sweet tooth should definitely stop and shop. One of the best things to buy in Pondicherry has to be the delicious chocolates that melt as soon as it enters the mouth. Along with an extensive variety of chocolates, Zuka Choco-La also serves some lip-smacking quick bites for all the fitness freaks out there. When paying a visit to Zuka Choco-La, do not forget to try out their flavorsome signature hot chocolate.
Location: 319, Mission Street, MG Road, Puducherry, Pondicherry
Timings: 9 am to 10 pm
What To Shop: Chocolates
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19. Habitart
In case you wish to shop at a place where you can move around freely with your bargaining hats then this is the right place to shop in Pondicherry. Habitat is actually the most beloved place when it comes to Shopaholics. The place is loaded with a wide range of authentic products, a collection of contemporary as well as traditional items. Most of them are made of sandalwood, glass, metal, textile, and marble. You’ll also find many items of silver jewelry, artifacts, & small paintings.
Location: 1st Floor, No. 6, S.V Patel Salai, Pondicherry
Timings: open from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm.
What To Shop: Authentic items
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20. Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper Factory
Image Credit: Sri Aurobindo Paper Factory
While street shopping in Pondicherry, you have to hit this place. Stop by the Aurobindo Ashram, this place has been producing its own handmade paper since 1959 and been printing them in various designs. You’ll find many categories of paper uniquely designed & produced. Products like paper envelopes, wind chimes, paper bags, birthday cards are all available here in bulk. You can also visit the place and observe the process of papermaking.
Location: 50, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Kuruchikuppam, Pondicherry
Timings: The place is open from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily.
What To Shop: Paper products
Further Read: 11 Top Homestays In Pondicherry For An Unforgettable Holiday
Splurge out and shop till you drop! Shopping can be a great source of therapy for some people. Have you heard of retail therapy? If not, head to these places and indulge yourselves. Plan your trip to Tamil Nadu with TravelTriangle for a breezy beach vacation. Know any more places for shopping in Pondicherry? Let us know in the comments below!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shopping In Pondicherry
What are the famous things in Pondicherry?
There are a lot of things one can purchase from Pondicherry, but if you want the list then do not forget the Ethnic Indian women wear, sustainable clothing, and furniture as these are some of the famous things in Pondicherry.
What should I buy in Pondicherry?
There are numerous shopping alternatives near popular places to visit in Pondicherry. Some of the most popular items of Pondicherry which are must-buy are 1. Textiles. satin, twill, corduroy, poplin, chambray, oxford, cambric, and Khadi 2. Pottery 3. Leather Products. 4. Perfumed and embossed candles 5. Semi-precious stones, 6. Aromatherapy product 7. French antique furniture 8. Tibetan handicrafts
How many days do you need to see Pondicherry?
If you are looking to visit beaches, Aurobindo Ashram, a number of temples, go shopping, as well as explore some of the popular places nearby, you will easily need upto 4 days.
Best places to buy souvenirs in Pondicherry?
Sunday market at M.G Road is one of the best places to go shopping for anything from household items to educational books. It is one of the most popular markets for both locals and tourists alike.
Are HIDESIGN cheaper in Pondicherry?
HIDESIGN products are made locally in Pondicherry, hence it's a bit cheaper in the city. Also due to low taxes, things like handicrafts, leather goods, and textiles are fairly cheap in Pondicherry.
Is Pondicherry safe at night?
Pondicherry is definitely one of the safest places with the French town area and Rock Beach is one of the safest places even at night. But some areas in the outskirts such as the beaches in ECR are not very safe at night because of alcoholics.
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