The French quarter, also known as White Town, ostensibly due to its predominant occupation by French communities before Independence, is characterised by bright yellow and white buildings. These homes have now been converted into homestays, hotels, shops and restaurants, allowing visitors a glimpse of the resplendent lives of the noblemen of a different era. Wide, European-style roads and canopied avenues allow tourists a respite from traffic and heat of the main city.

For photographers, French town is a particularly favourite spot, with picture-pretty arcs and gleaming walls. Adjacent to the French quarters lie nondescript buildings in grey and white that are mostly found near Sri Aurobindo Ashram. These are owned and governed by the Ashram trust, and house a school, a perfumery, a gym, a press, a sewing unit etc.