Grenoble Guide

About Grenoble, France

Grenoble is quite a unique location. Surrounded by mountains and cut off from the more sophisticated settings that occupy the rest of France, Grenoble has given itself to mining, heavy industry and technology. Due to its location at the base of the Alps and with the Chartreuse to the North, Vercors to the West and Belledonne to the East, Grenoble was once a mining town. Many abandoned mills and factories are still standing in small coal towns just outside of the city.

Because of the way it prospered, Grenoble had to keep on top of the technological aspects of the industry. What unfolded were brilliant education and research labs that are known the world over. Joseph Fourier University is noted as one of the leading scientific schools in the country while Grenoble Institute of Technology is a key player in the world's leading technology. In fact, so many students came to Grenoble to study that they opened an international school called the Cite Scolaire Internationale Europole.

Grenoble isn't all business though. Locals play just as hard as they work. Its location lends itself to skiing and cold weather sports. It was the host of the 1968 Winter Olympics and plans to bid as host in the 2018 Winter Games. Its global mix of people also offers up delicious cuisine from almost any culture in the world. The Italian quarter, Quartier Saint Laurent, is also sought out for its illustrious nightlife.

There is always something going on in Grenoble whether it is winter or spring, day or night.

Things to do in Grenoble

Our mini-guide to what's on in Grenoble lists the top 10 events and attractions in the region. If you take your short break in Grenoble, France when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in Grenoble.

1. Musee de Grenoble - Established in 1796, this museum is one of the oldest in France. It was also one of the first, besides Paris, to step outside of the box and welcome modern artists like Picasso. It has an impressive painting collection from Flemish, Italian Renaissance and Impressionist eras. There are also artifacts from Greek and Roman antiquity as well as ancient Egypt. The museum is open Wednesday - Monday from 10:00am - 6:30pm. Admission is roughly 5€ for an adult.

2. Honey Fair - Visitors come from all over Europe to sample the delicious and extensive range of honey products presented at Place Saint Andre each October. Isn't honey just honey? No, and the Honey Fair proves it. Due to the diversity of Alpine flowers, amazingly, Grenoble's honeys have distinctive tastes all their own. The Honey Fair is free of charge and open all day.

3. Parc Naturel Regional du Vercors - Located on 186,000 hectares, Grenoble's Natural Park offers visitors a look at the diverse Alpine lifestyle. There are plateaus carved by generations of farmers, countless numbers of local wildlife, seven natural segments for exploring the mountains and numerous places to catch a breathtaking view, ski, bike or hike.

4. Grenoble Life Style Fair - Over 100,000 guests come to check out the latest and greatest in gadgets, homeware, gardening, vacation, gifts, crafts and foods. The Alpexpo is filled with 700 stalls, stacked to the brim, so that guests can buy what they need for their own lifestyle. The Lifestyle Fair takes place in November. Hours generally run from 10:00am - 8:00pm. Admission is 6€ and concessions 4.50€.

5. Easter Fair - The Esplanade fills with food and fun when the Easter Fair rolls into town. Over 50 rides and countless food and game stands open from March - April each year. Hours and admission varies.

6. Musee Dauphinois -The museum is located in a convent built in the 1600s known as Ste-Marie-d'en-Haut. The structure has lovely architectural features like a cloister and baroque chapel along with a great garden to stroll in. Their collection of Dauphine region folk artifacts are equivalent to a crash course of life in the Alps. The museum is open June - September, Wednesday - Monday 10:00am - 7:00pm. Admission is free.

7. Festival of 38 Roars - Venues around the city open their doors to this event, which celebrates nomadic musicians around the world. From a traditional American composer to an aboriginal tribe from Taiwan, this festival is truly unique to Grenoble. Hours and admission varies.

8. La Bastille - Perched on the mountainside, peering down at Grenoble is la Bastille, a series of ancient forts that were most notably a part of Charles Dickens' beloved novel A Tale of Two Cities. La Bastille was begun in medieval times but has undergone many renovations up until the 19^th Century. Getting to la Bastille is interesting. You can opt for a hike or morning jog up the hill or you can take what locals call the telepherique, a system of egg shaped cable cars that slowly climb the mountain and provide excellent views of La Bastille and the Isere River. A cable car ride is roughly 6€ roundtrip.

9. Resistance Museum - Throughout its lengthy history, Grenoble has been the sight of attacks from others. The time period known as World War II was no different. Germans invaded and the Gestapo police set up a headquarters right in Grenoble. Peculiarly, the old headquarters is now a predominant hotel.

10. Caves - There are many caves carved out by the Alps. Two of the most curious are located close by Grenoble. The prehistoric cave of Thais, goes back 15,000 years. Inside there are prehistoric sites and exquisitely colored walls. Thais is also a favorite site of the dangerous profession of underground diving. The Cuves de Sassenage, also a short distance from Grenoble, is one of the deepest caves in the world. Both caves hold ancient folklore and stories which visitors find delightful.

Grenoble Airport

Grenoble is serviced by the Grenoble-Isere Aiport, Geneva Cointrin International Airport or Saint Exupery International Airport by Lyon.

From Grenoble-Isere, visitors can access the city by way of a bus and tram service provided by Semitag.

From Lyon, visitors can find their way to Grenoble by way of the TGV network, trains or Eurostar.

From Geneva, visitors can get to Grenoble by way of the TGV services as rails and roads are less accessible from these areas.