What to do in Grenoble during your stay? Between history and nature, here are a few ideas for discovering one of the most beautiful towns in the Alps!
Capital of the Dauphiné region, Grenoble is a city of many riches. Nestled between the Vercors, Chartreuse and Taillefer mountain ranges, it boasts a dynamic cultural life. Its location also makes it a prime destination for sports enthusiasts. From the Place Grenette to the Bastille, from the Resistance to the 1968 Winter Olympics, the city has a thousand facets. There’s no doubt that Grenette will win you over as you stroll through its streets. If you’re wondering what to do in Grenoble, here are ten suggestions!
1. La Bastille
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Stephane Debove
This former military fort is the most popular tourist site in the Grenoble area. Built in the 19th century, it overlooks the city. Today, it hosts a wide range of activities. You can discover aerial courses, escape games, museums and restaurants. What’s more, the site is classified as a Zone of Ecological Interest for its exceptional flora and fauna. Visitors looking for something to do in Grenoble won’t want to miss the Bastille!
2. Place Grenette
Photo credit: Shuttrstock / RossHelen
What else is there to do in Grenoble than stroll around Place Grenette? This has been the city’s main square since the 17th century. Back then, it was home to a grain market and a cattle market. Today, Place Grenette is an ideal place to meet and stroll around, with its cafés and stores. What’s more, you’ll be able to admire an imposing Sassenage stone fountain. Named Le Château d’Eau Lavalette, it was built in 1825. As you approach, you’ll see four cherubs riding dolphins.
3. Grenoble Museum
Photo credit: Shuttertsock / Alkema Natalia
If you’re looking for something to do in Grenoble when it rains, don’t hesitate to discover the city’s museum. Opened in 1798, it houses over nine hundred works of art. Its collection of Western paintings is particularly impressive. From the 13th to the 21st century, you can admire paintings by Flemish, Spanish and Dutch masters. The museum also boasts a collection of Egyptian antiquities, brought back by Champollion. The Musée de Grenoble is open every day except Tuesdays and certain public holidays. You can visit between 10 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Tickets for adults cost eight euros, while those under eighteen are free!
4. Grenoble Bastille cable car
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Stephane Debove
Since 1934, this cable car has linked Grenoble to the summit of the Bastille, flying over the Saint-Laurent district. It’s nicknamed « Les Bulles » because of the distinctive shape of its cabins. If you’d like to take the ride, you’ll pay from five euros and sixty cents for a round-trip adult ticket. For children, it’s four euros and sixty cents. Since July 2017, the cable car has been equipped with a webcam. It takes panoramic photos of the city at regular intervals. Visit the cable car’s official website, and you might just see yourself, on the right, taking a tour of Grenoble!
5. Saint-Laurent footbridge
Photo credit: Shutterstock / RossHelen
The Saint-Laurent footbridge spans the Isère, linking Quai Mounier to Quai Jongkind. It was built in 1837 and modernized in 1909. It stands on the site of the city’s first bridge, built as early as the 11th century. This essential passageway has suffered a great deal of damage over the years. Indeed, the Isère floods have frequently destroyed it. When looking for something to do in Grenoble, it’s impossible not to visit this emblem of the city!
6. Paul Mistral Park
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Pierre Jean Durieu
The city’s green lung, Parc Paul Mistral extends over twenty-one hectares. This former military field was converted into a park in 1925. Various areas have been set aside for sports and other activities. Indeed, it’s easy to forget that Grenoble hosted the Winter Olympics in 1968. The Parc Paul Mistral still bears witness to this with its many remains. These include the Palais de Sport and the speed ring. The park is also home to Grenoble’s town hall and a tower by the architect Perret. A visit to Grenoble wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Parc Paul Mistral!
7. Isère Museum of Resistance and Deportation
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Mel Rebesco
Visiting Grenoble is an opportunity for history buffs to discover a unique museum. The Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de l’Isère covers six themes on three levels. On the first floor, you can follow the genesis and unfolding of the conflict as seen from Isère. The second floor is devoted to the Resistance and the maquis. It also looks at the situation of Jews in Grenoble between 1939 and 1945. Finally, the top floor looks back at the repression and deportations, as well as the Liberation. Free to all, the museum is open every day except Tuesday mornings.
8. Lion Fountain
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Lara EH Bofiliou
If you’re planning a visit to Grenoble, you won’t want to miss La Fontaine au Lion. It’s located on Place de la Cymaise, in the Saint-Laurent district. Built in 1843, it is one of the oldest in the city. Its creators were the sculptor Sappey and the foundryman Crozatier, as for Le Château d’Eau Lavalette. It depicts a lion mastering the assaults of a snake, ysara in Old French. It is this snake that gives the river Isère its name. The lion symbolizes the city of Grenoble. This fountain bears witness to the violent floods that ravaged the city in the 19th century. A majestic tribute to the tenacity of the people of Grenoble!
9. Grenoble’s Notre-Dame cathedral and Saint-Hugues church
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Florent Lacroute
Construction of Grenoble Cathedral began in the 10th century, and was completed nine centuries later! Beyond the beauty of its architecture, it has a unique feature. In fact, it backs directly onto the church of Saint-Hugues. The two buildings are linked by an interior passageway. In medieval times, they were part of the same group of religious buildings.
10. Champs-Élysées Park
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Stephane Debove
Opposite the Stade Lesdiguières, this park is the perfect place to spend a day. It features a sports course and a huge pool, as well as facilities for children. They’ll be delighted by the play areas or the little train ride! Easily accessible, this park is the ideal setting for a picnic during your stay in Grenoble.
How to get to Grenoble
By plane
Grenoble Alpes Isère airport is about 30 minutes from the city center, via the A48 motorway. It’s a convenient way to visit Grenoble. It is served by a large number of airlines from France and other European countries. Various options are then available for your transfer to the city: cabs, shuttles, etc. Don’t hesitate to search for tickets on the website of our partner Ulysse, an online flight comparison service. You’ll find tickets at attractive prices for your visit to Grenoble.
By train
Grenoble is also easily accessible by train. The train station, in the heart of the city, is served by several lines, including those from Switzerland and Italy. Both TGV and regional trains run here. The public transport network makes it easy and convenient to get around Grenoble.
By car
If you want to be completely self-sufficient, you can also get to Grenoble by car. Several freeways, including the A48, A49 and A41, converge on the city. But beware: surrounded by mountains, the city is not always easy to get to! So you’re likely to encounter traffic jams.
If you’re coming by train or plane, we strongly advise you to rent a car so you can explore the surrounding area. The Grenoble region is full of natural treasures that you really must discover! So why confine yourself to the city?
Where to stay in Grenoble
Visiting Grenoble means planning your accommodation. Fortunately, the capital of the Dauphiné region is full of possibilities, depending on your budget. For example, you can choose a rental via AirBnB, for around sixty euros a night. You can also turn to hotel rooms. For two adults, a night will cost you an average of seventy euros. If you want maximum comfort during your stay, top-of-the-range hotels are available. A night for two will then cost you between one hundred and fifty and two hundred euros. Depending on the dates of your stay, the price of these accommodations may vary. Finally, try camping in Isère during the summer months! Pitch rental starts at thirty-five euros.
With these few tips, you now know what to do in Grenoble on your next trip to Isère!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Grenoble,fr