Chandannagar Museum and Institute, Hooghly, West Bengal

The institute and Museum was instituted by French president Pompidre and Indian prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The center is also known for the antiquity and galleries that are dedicated to the East Indian Company and the efforts of the company to archaeological discoveries in the district since the Gupta period. Besides, the library contains information relating to the French administration in India.

The Chandannagar Museum and Institute is worth visiting too. This French Museum or Residency was the former home of the French administrator J.F. Dupleix, which has now been converted into a museum. It showcases a wonderful collection of French antiques including 18th century wooden furniture, a cannon used in Anglo-French war and other items. The exquisite architecture of the Sacred Heart Church and the Chandannagar Church is also popular with the tourists. The site featuring the ruins of the St. Louis Church is also interesting. The underground House, popularly known as the Patal Bari, the lowest floor of which is immersed in the River Ganges is another superb architectural evidence of the early days.