Chief Secretariat Building, Beach Road (walk past) Meet your tour guide at a designated point opposite the Chief Secretariat Building of Pondicherry located on Beach Road. Stroll down the shoreline and you will understand why Pondicherry is also referred to as the ‘French Riviera of the East’. Then walk through the French quarter of the town. You will walk through interesting lanes lined with houses with typical French facades. The local bakeries and stores will also reflect the same architectural styles. Stop at the Church of Notre Dame. French is still spoken by the locals although English is widely understood. The walk is easy and slow-paced, covering a total distance of less than 1.5 miles before returning to the starting point.