Old Lighthouse

The Old Lighthouse is a historic 19th-century lighthouse located on Goubert Avenue along Promenade Beach in White Town, Puducherry. Built in 1836 during French colonial rule, the 29-metre rectangular tower guided vessels until 1979 when it was replaced by a new lighthouse. Now a protected heritage landmark, it is notable for its colonial architecture, central seafront location, and status as an iconic symbol of Puducherry's French heritage.

Visitors can expect to view the exterior of a tall, white, rectangular colonial lighthouse situated on the seafront Promenade in White Town. The structure is closed inside but can be photographed from the promenade and surrounding streets. The area is flat, open, and lined with other colonial buildings, the Gandhi Statue, and the beach. It is typically visited as part of a heritage walk along Goubert Avenue, especially in the evening when the lighthouse is illuminated.

Constructed in 1836 by the French administration, the Old Lighthouse served as the primary navigational aid for the Puducherry port for over 140 years until 1979. The 29-metre tower was built to guide ships along the Coromandel Coast and was later replaced by a new lighthouse outside the city. It remains a protected heritage structure representing French colonial engineering in Puducherry.

The lighthouse is an iconic symbol of Puducherry's French colonial heritage and forms part of the White Town heritage ensemble along the Promenade. It is a popular landmark for heritage walks and cultural tourism, representing the city's maritime history and colonial-era architecture.