French Castle, Arani

Nice simple place.
Deserted, not maintained but most floors are still accessible and therefore it's a lot better state than most tourist maintained attractions.

It's hidden far away from the main road.
No net. But the area is beautiful and serene to go here and Picknick. Bring your own food as there is nothing to buy in the surrounding areas.

But definitely worth a visit.

The Poosi Forest Palace or well known as french castle in Arni, is over 170 years old and an attraction for heritage enthusiasts, but is lately in bad shape and now its under forest department.
A winding lane, from Arni Road through a forest, leads to Poosimalai Kuppam, a village in Arni, which houses a dilapidated old British-style building - the Poosi Forest Palace. It is best to visit this place in early morning because locals come here to chill and after 10 am tourists too visit. Photos taken at sunrise are best.
Located close to 35 km from Vellore city and 40km from VIT Vellore, this structure, which is over 170 years old, is an attraction for many architects and heritage enthusiasts. Many movies or serials shoot happen at this place at night because it looks like a horror place but its not.
“This palace was built after 1850 by the 10th Arni Jagir, Srinivasa Rao Sahib. The architect was William Pogson, a Britisher who has constructed many famous buildings in the Madras Presidency including the Spencer’s showroom, ” explains Mr. Hariharan. He said that Mr. Pogson had termed this palace the shooting box, as it is believed that the British friends of the Jagir used to stay here and hunt foxes and hogs. “There is a rumour that it is a French Castle that the then Jagir built for his French mistress. This is wrong, ” he adds.
The palace has two bedrooms on the ground floor and two on the first floor with attached bathrooms. “This is probably one of the few palaces in the region with chimneys for a fireplace. Though it was not required in a place with a hot and humid climate, the Jagir was adamant about having British-style construction, ” he says.

Located close to 35 km from Vellore, this structure, which is over approx 170 years old, is an attraction for many architects and heritage enthusiasts. However, the building is crying out for attention and has now become a haven for anti-social elements.

This rating is only for Nature, silent environment and location. But the building looking old and damaged. Localities used this building for drinking alcohol and doing illegal works. If Government take a look, then this will be an ancient treasure. Now it looks like a horror place which is abandoned so long. This building is made by full of materials which are imported from France itself.

FRENCH CASTLE: Poomalai Kuppam close to Kannamangalam.The palace was modeled like a French castle with iron railings,iron girds from Glasgow,London In 1876 AD,Arni Jagirdar built this place for his French wife,Wall paper with beautiful flower design decorates the wall and ceilings,All the rooms have furnaces to heat the room in the winter,Its a three storey building with a fourth floor tower.There was swimming pool for pleasure bath.There was a separate dove cart for messenger pigeons..

Nice place to visit...the view is awesome... although the castle is nearly broken...

Great place that everyone has to visit ☺
But government is not maintaining it properly 🫤
The place is totally damaged by drunken people's
But nice spot for photography and for mental peace ✌🕊☮

Booth bangala , really amazing experience , must visit once , location also mass for photoshoot , shortfilm 🦹‍♀📸

Awesome evening cycle ride to french castle

You can plan ur rides if ur staying near by arni , arcot and Vellore

I know this place from my childhood but haven't visited now after 24 yrs i have seen this french castle called (Bungala).Nice experience but this place was not maintained....

Beautiful designs, but not maintained.

Nice place for a bike ride in the evenings the route to the castle is really great.. nothing much to see. The place is runied and wouldn't recommend people going there alone.

Nice place to visit and also for photo shoot..😇

A lovely building, designed by a french architect for a nawab and his wife. Includes 3 floors, a main staircase, a spiral staircase and a fireplace. Unfortunately, it is poorly maintained and graffiti covers its walls. The isolation and tranquility are wonderful, although it may not be safe after dark.

Awesome place which comes with a nice drive. You can see the castle for its architecture, nothing more than that. Iron pillars were imported from Glasgow. Don't miss the well located next to it.

Beautiful french castle building nice place but few years ago collapse all building rework complete new view in the building, building top view hills and natural area i watching very very super experience,this structure constructed marathaa empire , old staircase is beauty and spiral staircase and bathroom toilet this old building ,,,,,,nice fantastic in the castle building thiruvannamalai

Excellent Architecture in a very sad state

Lovely ride to the place from Vellore. Excellent for a short get away form Vellore with a scenic easy drive. The place has amazing history to it

Very well constructed Small palace. Now it's in the ruins due to lack of maintenance. A must see place within the wrath of mountains and forest area.

Good place for sketching and stuff