White Town Rentals Rise with Tourism Revival
French Quarter | May 2025:
Retail leasing in Puducherry’s iconic French Quarter has jumped by 15%, with White Town leading the surge. Monthly rentals are now ranging between ₹60–₹100 per sq ft, driven by rising tourist footfall, boutique store demand, and renewed interest from café chains and artisan brands.

The colonial charm of White Town, paired with walkable lanes and vibrant storefronts, continues to attract both domestic and international tourists—especially post-pandemic. This has led to a spike in demand for ground-floor retail spaces, especially along key streets like Romain Rolland, Suffren, and Bussy.

Property owners are renovating older heritage buildings for commercial use, adding to the leasing stock. The Puducherry Urban Planning Authority is also easing norms for retail-use conversions within the French Quarter, further fueling this trend.

Experts view this as a positive signal for Puducherry’s heritage-led economy, with micro-retail, art galleries, and fusion eateries driving commercial growth.