One of Puducherry’s most famous landmarks, the Old Lighthouse, which forms part of an ensemble of heritage buildings on the Promenade, is set to sport a new look. The refurbished 190-year-old lighthouse building will be inaugurated by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and opened to the public on Thursday (June 25, 2026).

Built by the French in 1836, two iconic buildings — the Douane Customs House and the Old Lighthouse — stood witness to Puducherry’s flourishing maritime trade. The 29-metre-tall Old Lighthouse, the first on the Coromandel Coast, guided ships navigating the Bay of Bengal and also functioned as a customs office. The Old Lighthouse remained in service until 1979.

Over the years, the building suffered extensive wear and tear. Owing to its deteriorating condition, the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Commissionerate, Puducherry, decided to undertake a complete renovation of the structure. The civil works were carried out by the Central Public Works Department under the guidance of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). The restoration was completed last year.

According to Milind R. Lanjewar, Commissioner, CGST Puducherry Commissionerate, “Following the completion of the restoration works, the Old Lighthouse has been transformed into a Cultural Heritage Centre. The ground floor houses a room screening a documentary on the history of the department, while an art gallery will provide local artisans with a platform to showcase their works. The library offers a diverse collection of books on local history in English, French, Tamil and Hindi.”

The campus also includes a Douane Café, which will serve Franco-Tamil cuisine to visitors. The first floor of the Old Lighthouse has been converted into a departmental guest house. The biggest draw for tourists will be the opportunity to climb to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city, Mr. Lanjewar said.

The renovation and beautification of the Old Lighthouse were carried out with great care, preserving its heritage character and reflecting Franco-Tamil culture. The heritage cultural centre is expected to serve as a vibrant space for local artists.

Steeped in history

The heritage structure is a landmark that tourists along Goubert Avenue cannot miss. It forms part of an ensemble of important buildings such as the Mairie, the Customs House, the old court building, and the French Consulate.

Built by the French to guide mariners arriving in Puducherry, the lighthouse is said to be the first lighthouse on the Coromandel Coast and one of the 245 heritage buildings notified by the government as protected and restored.

“In March 1836, the lighthouse was erected by engineer L. Guerre. It started with 12 oil lamps magnified by lenses and mirrors and the light was visible at a distance of 15 to 17 metres. The oil lamps were later replaced by a rotating battery-powered beam that could be seen 25 metres away. The lighthouse was last deactivated in 1979,” according to INTACH.

It is a load-bearing structure with Madras terrace roofing and was built in brick and lime mortar with lime plaster. The fluted, tapering tower, standing about 29 metres tall, was originally built on a square base with a room for a watchman and an internal staircase. The upper storey, with 218 wooden steps leading to the tower, was added during the 20th century.