The birthplace of Stendhal and the modern scientific center of France, Grenoble (Grenoble), the heart of the Rhone-Alpes region, is conveniently located in a valley between three snow-covered mountain ranges - Chartreuse, Verkov and Beldon. From here you can arrange forays into the mountains, and then dine with the famous “gratan”, the recipe of which is protected in every Grenoble family with almost diplomatic strictness. Here you can mix with a noisy crowd of students, of which there are a great many in Grenoble, and nibble on real walnuts (appellation d'origine controlé, by the way, like good wine), and on a hot summer day, plunge into the icy water of mountain lakes. And, of course, to engage in philosophical conversations over a glass of beer with numerous intellectual specialists working at high-tech enterprises of the city.
How to get to Grenoble
Avia
- Grenoble-Isère Aéroport Airport is located 40 km from the city and serves mainly charter flights of European airlines that bring skiers to the region. EasyJet and Ryanair, Transavia, Wizzair and LOT flights land here, as well as Aurigny and Tunisian SevenAir.
- Lyon Airport (Aéroport Lyon-Saint Exupéry) is located at a distance of 100 km from Grenoble and receives flights from almost all major airlines. From the airport to Grenoble can be reached by bus. Travel time - 1 hour, fare - 24 EUR for adults, 12-18 EUR - for children (36/30 EUR - round trip, valid for two months). Buses depart from the airport every hour from 5:30 to 23:30.
- Geneva airport, although located farther than others from Grenoble (160 km.), receives a huge number of flights from all over the world, and it may be more convenient to land here. From Geneva to Grenoble can be reached in a couple of hours on the suburban high-speed trains TER of French railways. First make sure you have the necessary documents to cross the Swiss border.
Prices on the page are for April 2019.
Search for flights to Lyon (nearest airport to Grenoble)
Train
Nearby is the museum of the Dauphine region, where very interesting exhibitions are held and concerts of classical and folk music are held.
Noteworthy are the Archaeological Museum of Grenoble and the Museum of Natural History, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts with paintings by Picasso, Matisse and Warhol. Notre-Dame Square is home to the remarkable Cathedral: a beautifully restored Gothic building with nice frescoes inside.
For a walk, go to the Paul Mistral Park, located almost in the very center of Grenoble. There are many shady well-groomed alleys and cozy benches under the canopy of poplars, and you can also go rollerblading or play field hockey.
You can enjoy the picturesque banks of the Dra river and see the Monteinar dam while traveling on the Le Petit Train de la Mure pleasure train (under renovation until 2020). Departs from the station of the town of Saint George de Commiers, 17 km from Grenoble and passes through 18 mountain tunnels.
The city of Grenoble in France bears the unofficial title of "Capital of the French Alps" and at the same time is considered the most flat in all of Europe. It is located at the confluence of the Iser and Drak rivers, surrounded by mountain peaks and, despite this, its landscape does not even remotely resemble hilly. Ancient and modern architecture harmoniously coexist here. Scientists and students come here from all over the country, because this cosmopolitan city rightfully bears the title of the university center of France. In winter and summer, tourists who come to Grenoble try to combine their acquaintance with it with an active holiday, conquering the ski slopes on the slopes surrounding the city or exploring the numerous mountain hiking trails.
Business card
Grenoble is a famous city. It was here, in the house at 14 Jean-Jacques Rousseau, that the legendary French writer Stendhal was born, which the locals are incredibly proud of. In 1968, Grenoble became known to the whole world, becoming the capital of the Winter Olympic Games. And even part of the action of the novel by Patrick Suskind "Perfumer" takes place in Grenoble!
History and modernity
In the 1st century BC, the first fortified settlement called Kularo appeared in these places. It was founded by the Celtic tribe of the Allobroges. Only in the 3rd century AD, this place acquired the status of a city, which was renamed Gratianopolis in honor of the Western Roman Emperor Flavius Gratian in 381. Subsequently, the name, under the influence of linguistic changes, was transformed into Grenoble. Over the long centuries of its existence, the city managed to visit the kingdom of Provence and the feudal formation of Dauphine. The Great French Revolution owes its beginning to this very place - in 1788, local residents defeated the government troops, influencing the entire subsequent history of the country. So Grenoble in France can rightly be called a landmark city.
What to see, where to visit
One of the main attractions of Grenoble is its famous Bastille fortress, located on one of the hills of the Chartreuse mountain range. The fortress acquired the look that it has now in the 19th century, but back in the 16th century, during the religious wars, a defensive structure stood in its place. Today, the Bastille is of exclusively excursion interest: its observation deck offers an amazing view of the city, and the center of modern art, a restaurant and a military museum, located within the walls of the fortress, allow you to spend time here with interest and pleasure.
An equally notable attraction of Grenoble is its cable car connecting the historic center with the Bastille fortress. The funicular was erected in 1934, then its cabins had the shape of a dodecahedron and could carry up to 15 passengers at a time. The cable car acquired its current appearance only in 1976, instantly becoming one of the main symbols of the city. Its plexiglass "bead booths" remind the locals of large soap bubbles, which is why they call them "bulles". The funicular literally adorns the urban landscape, like an outlandish necklace.
Another symbol of Grenoble is three high-rise tower houses built for the 1968 Olympics. In France, these were far from the first Olympic Games, because their organizers, using all the accumulated experience, decided in this way to modernize the look of the city. Built in the middle of the last century, the towers still look very modern.
Entertainment and active recreation
Fans of unhurried walks should definitely look into Paul Mistral Park. In the hot season, you can hide from the summer heat or have a picnic in the shade of trees. Those wishing to get to know the city better will enjoy a walk along a special route on the city train Le Petit Train de la Mure, which passes through the most picturesque corners of French Grenoble. Shopping fans will also find something to do here. The Grenette area is full of shops and boutiques where you can buy whatever you want.
Local cuisine and wines
Local dishes literally beckon with their aroma: a huge number of herbs grow in this region, with which local chefs generously flavor their masterpieces. Potatoes soaked in milk sauce, baked under cream in the oven - the famous "gratan" comes from here. Exquisite blue cheese is made only in this region of France. Grenoble will certainly offer you plenty of it. All this is perfectly combined with a magnificent 50-degree La Chartreuse drink.
Where to try all this? Connoisseurs of chic and gourmet cuisine will find the Auberge Napoleon restaurant considered one of the most prestigious in the city. Place Grenet, Place Saint-André and Place Notre Dame offer a wide range of café-bars. You should definitely visit Bar 1900, Le Glacier, Le Bagatel and Le Perroquet, be sure to appreciate the small but very nice cocktail bar Styx, located in a 19th-century wine cellar on Quinveson Square.
Family holiday
Children in Grenoble will also be interested. There are a large number of playgrounds in the Paul Mistral park, and the Archaeological Museum with a rich collection of exhibits found during excavations on the banks of the Isère River will acquaint the younger generation with history.
Grenoble (France) is an ancient city founded about two thousand years ago. At the very beginning of its existence, this settlement was called Kularo and was a small settlement. But over time, it has grown into a stunning modern city with a population of over 150,000. Today, Grenoble boasts luxurious sights and a chic cultural and historical heritage. There are a dozen museums here, including the Stendhal Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Laurent Crypt, the world famous university and many other architectural objects.
A little about the city
The city of Grenoble, France, is informally called the capital because it is very close to the mountains. But at the same time, it is also considered the most flat on the European continent. The settlement is located at the confluence of the rivers Drach and Ysere, it is surrounded by mountain peaks, but, despite this fact, the landscape of Grenoble does not look like a hilly even remotely. Here, ancient architecture harmoniously coexists with modern. And the same city is considered the university center of the country.
Grenoble (France) is a popular and famous city. Here Stendhal himself was born, and the local population is incredibly proud of this fact. In 1968, when the settlement became the Capital of the Winter Olympics, it became famous all over the planet. It is also interesting that a number of events in the sensational novel "Perfumer" take place in Grenoble.
Brief historical information
In the first century BC, in the place where today the city of Grenoble (France) is located, the first fortified settlement arose, which was called Cularo. Its founder was the Allobroges tribe. And in the 3rd century AD, the settlement was given the status of a city. In 381, it was named Gratianopolis in honor of one of the Roman emperors. But as a result of linguistic changes, the name Gracianopolis was transformed into the modern name of Grenoble. During its long history of existence, the settlement was part of the feudal formation of Dauphine and in the kingdom of Provence. It was in Grenoble that the French Revolution started, which dramatically changed the history of not only the city itself, but the whole country. That is why the French Grenoble is rightfully called a landmark city.
The city's attractions
Grenoble, which is known to travelers all over the world, has placed the Bastille fortress in its expanses. In the 16th century, there was a defensive structure on the site of the object. The Bastille acquired its modern look only in the 19th century. Today, the fortress is only an excursion object.
A popular attraction among tourists is the cable car. It links the Bastille with the historic center of the city. In 1934, a funicular was created, the cabins of which looked like a dodecahedron and could transport about 15 people at the same time. In 1976, when the cable car got its present appearance, it also became a city symbol.
Another local attraction that all tourists try to see is three multi-storey tower houses. They were erected for the beginning of the 1968 Olympics. Despite the fact that the building was built in the middle of the last century, it still has a completely modern look.
Three in One University
The University of Grenoble (France) consists of three independent institutions of higher education. The University of Grenoble I, bearing the name of Joseph Fourier, has ten faculties, a department for advanced training of teachers, the Grenoble Astrophysical Observatory and other research institutions.
The University of Grenoble II, named after Pierre Mendes-France, consists of four scientific and educational faculties, three polytechnic institutes, two technological institutes and other universities.
University of Grenoble III. Stendhal - these are five scientific and educational faculties, the department of information technology, the French language center, the House of Cultures and Languages and other scientific institutions.
The university itself was opened in 1339 by Count Humbert II Dauphin and then consisted of only five faculties. The history of the educational institution is full of adventures. It was either closed, then opened, then renamed. The university was divided into today's three independent educational facilities in 1970.
culinary city
The culinary industry is another element that Grenoble lives on. France, in general, is famous for its culinary delights. The culinary delicacies of Grenoble are generously seasoned with various herbs, because here they grow in huge quantities. In this city, a famous dish appeared, which is potatoes soaked in milk sauce and baked with cream in the oven. And only in this region of France the popular blue cheese is produced.
Such dishes are in the best harmony with the amazing drink La Chartreuse 50-proof. You can try the masterpieces of local gastronomy in numerous places of which there are many. There are both modest brasseries and fashionable gourmet restaurants here.
general information
A reminder of the historical past of Grenoble is towering over the city of La Bastille. Medieval in origin, the bastion became the most extensive defensive structure in France in the 19th century.
Grenoble is a university center known for its excellent quality of education and high level of science. However, heavy industry enterprises are also located here. Ironically, the air in this mountainous place is not as clean as one might expect - the city is located in a valley, so polluted air masses sometimes accumulate here. The winter sports center is located in the mountains. Hiking is offered in summer.
The heart of the city is Place Saint André with the former parliament building (the old Palace of Justice) and a coffee house, one of the two oldest in France, the Café de la Table Rhone, dated 1739. Fairs are regularly held on the square. It is surrounded by a web of narrow streets and smaller squares. The elegant Place Verdun is just what one expects to see in the "ideal French province". Trees grow on the square, there is a fountain in the center, cyclists pass from time to time, and majestic buildings stand around, among which the old city library is noteworthy.
Best time to visit
In winter, to ski, because in summer it can be hot and stuffy, besides, the air in the city is polluted.
What to watch
- The Dauphinois Museum in an ancient monastery tells the history and crafts of this province, not to mention the magnificent baroque chapel in the basement.
- The house where Henri Marie Bayle lived as a child, and his museum in the old city hall - this man is well known to you as the great French writer Stendhal.
- It's worth taking a day trip to the world's largest wine cellar by heading to Voiron, 25 km west of the city, where the Carthusian monks make chartreuse.
- The stunning Musée l'Ancien Evesche, located in the former Bishop's Palace, will take you on a fascinating journey through the history of Grenoble.
Place de la Bastille was once nicknamed Place de la Guillotine - many heads were cut off here during the French Revolution.
Grenoble is a city of about 158,000 citizens (550,000 including suburbs) located in southeastern France, in the Rhone-Alpes region, which includes the French Alps.
The climate is quite cool in winter, with snowfalls almost every year. In summer, it is most often quite hot, as the mountains surrounding the city do not allow any air movement to pass through.
Grenoble is crossed by two rivers - Drach and Isere ("lion and snake"), and is also surrounded by three mountain ranges: Vercors, Chartreuse and Beldon.
The city is famous for its universities, the Minatek Innovation Center, the European Synchrotron Radiation Centre, and its industrial center in the western suburbs. Moreover, it hosts a large number of foreign scientists and students.
How to get there
By plane
There are three airports near Grenoble:
- The airport, located 157 km from Grenoble, is the most popular destination for air transport of many airlines, and is also possibly cheaper than Lyon airport. Grenoble can be reached in less than 2 hours by car. By train (runs several times a day) the journey will take 3 - 4 hours. The price without discounts is 23.60 euros. If the train goes through, the trip will cost more and also take longer. There are also direct bus services to Grenoble costing 56 euros.
Remember that it is a Swiss city, so it is important not to forget that it has its own currency (Swiss franc). Almost all businesses and retail outlets in Geneva accept euros, but the change is made in Swiss francs.
civil Aviation
Also in Grenoble there is a small landing strip (900 m) in the commune of Le Versoux (15 km from the city).
By train
Several high-speed trains (TGV) operated by SNCF run directly from Paris to Grenoble daily. A trip over a distance of 640 km takes 3 - 4 hours. The price without discounts for a one-way ticket is 70 euros. Young people and students are entitled to a one-time Découverte discount, which allows you to reduce the price by 25%. Those who stay for more than a couple of months or plan to travel frequently by train can be advised to purchase the 12-25 card (worth 50 euros), which provides discounts of 25 to 50 percent.
Trains run hourly from Lyon (Part-Dieu station) to Grenoble, starting from 5.30 in the morning until midnight, and also, starting from 5 in the morning until 10 in the evening, from Grenoble to. The trip on the TER (regional trains) takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes - 1 hour 30 minutes (75 - 90 minutes). The price without discounts is 20.20 euros. Train timetables sometimes include TER buses. The cost is the same, the duration is the same, they depart from the same station and arrive at the same destination.
TER trains also link the city with Geneva in Switzerland (2 hours), the Southern Alps (Gap, Sisteron) and Valencia (1 hour), where you can change to TGV to southern France.
By car
Follow the highway from/to:
- A41, (via Chambery);
- A48, and;
- A49, Valencia and;
- A51, .
It may be difficult to navigate Grenoble by car, but once you get familiar with Semitag-parking's "Park and Ride" parking system, you'll realize it's a good way to get to know the area.
Clue:
Grenoble - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 1
Kazan 1
Samara 2
Yekaterinburg 3
Novosibirsk 5
Vladivostok 8
When is the season. When is the best time to go
Grenoble - monthly weather
Clue:
Grenoble - monthly weather
Main attractions. What to watch
Bastille
An ancient row of fortifications overlooking Grenoble. You can get there by cable car (round trip - 7.15 euros as of April 2013), or you can go hiking for 40 minutes.
Saint Roch Cemetery
This is the first city cemetery of Grenoble. Blessed by Claude Simon, Bishop of Grenoble, August 19, 1810. It is the largest cemetery in the city with an area of 13 hectares (32.11 acres). Located in the building du Souvenir, next to Isère in the Île Verte district, it is the city's only active cemetery, with 25,000 graves at present on an area of 13 hectares. Political leaders, military and artists are buried in this cemetery. But the most luxurious graves are at manufacturers of gloves. The sculptors Victor Seppi, Henri Dine, Eustache Bernard, Aime-Charles Hervoy, Urbain Basset are buried in this cemetery. Also - many mayors of the city, since the French Revolution. From Joseph-Marie-de-Barral, mayor in 1790, to Albert Michalon, mayor from 1959 to 1965. The painters Jules Flandrin and Jean Achard are also buried in Saint-Roch. The most remarkable monument in Saint Roch cemetery is the chapel of Saint Roch, built in 1826 and replacing the old chapel of the same name, built in the fifteenth century next to the leper hospital.
Palace of the Dauphine Provincial Parliament
Until 2002 - the courthouse. Located on Place Saint-André. The building dates from the 15th century. Now it is under reconstruction.
Cathedral (Place Notre Dame, tram B)
Has changed significantly in recent years. A free tourist guide gives a brief history of the building and some of the art in it (in French and English).
Little Train La Mure
Travel through 18 tunnels and enjoy stunning views of the Drach River and the Monteynard Dams. Located in Saint-Georges-de-Comiers, 17 km from Grenoble. Unfortunately, a massive landslide at the end of 2010 caused the closure of the line and until April 2013 it had not yet resumed service. Part of the line is scheduled to open in 2015. Find out more before your trip.
Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit
Saint-Louis Church (Place Victor Hugo, tram A, B, buses no. 3, 13, 33, 34).
Museums. Which are worth a visit
Museum of the French Revolution. It is located in the Vizille castle on Liberation Square, tel. (+33) 4 76 68 07 35, fax: (+33) 4 76 68 08 53. A small town about 14 km south of Grenoble.
Art Museum (Musée de Grenoble), 5 Lavalette (near the cathedral, tram stop Notre Dame B), tel. (+33) 4 76 63 44 10. Open 6 days a week from 10.00 to 18.30 (closed on Tuesdays, December 25, January 1, May 1). The museum deserves attention already thanks to its modern, well-thought-out device. It houses a fine collection of contemporary art. Among other things, the museum contains four works by Picasso, several good works by Matisse, one by Miro, one by Kandinsky and one by Andy Warhol.
Museum of Natural History (Muséum d "histoire naturelle), 1 Rue Dolomieu, tel. (+33) 4 76 44 05 35, fax: (+33) 4 76 44 65 99, [email protected] Open from Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.30; on Saturday and Sunday - from 14.00 to 18.00. Closed December 25, January 1, May 1. Provides services for the disabled. The museum has several good collections in the field of mineralogy and alpine wildlife, as well as an aquarium.
Hydropower Museum. It is located in the Vassans massif, about 45 km south of Grenoble. Hydroelectric power station next to a large dam (Grand "Maison").
Dauphin Museum (Musée Dauphinois), 30 Maurice-Gignoux, tel. (+33) 4 76 85 19 01. Open from Wednesday to Monday, except January 1, May 1 and December 25. Opening hours: from 10.00 to 18.00 from October to May, from 10.00 to 19.00 - the rest of the year. Free admission. This museum is located in the former Ste-Marie-d "en-Haut monastery on the hillside of the Bastille. It hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the inhabitants and lifestyle of the historic province of Dauphiné. The building is surrounded by pleasant gardens with beautiful views of the city. Exhibitions are held as in English as well as in French.
Museum of the Old Bishopric (L "Ancien Évêché), 2 Très Cloître, tel. (+33) 4 76 03 15 25, fax: (+33) 4 76 03 34 95. Open every day from 9.00 to 18.00, except Tuesday (13.30 - 18.00) and Sundays (10.00 - 19.00). Admission is free. The museum is located in the palace of the former bishop on Place Notre Dame. It presents objects and objects of art that tell the history of the Isère region and its inhabitants from prehistoric times to the present day. Under The museum houses an archaeological crypt: the ruins of the city walls of Rome and a wonderful 4th-century baptistery discovered while working on tram line B. You can ask for a free audio guide (in French or English) at the reception.
Museum of the Resistance and Deportation, 14 Hebert, tel. (+ 33) 4 76 42 38 53, fax: (+33) 4 76 42 55 89. You will learn a lot of interesting things from the history of the French Resistance in the Alps during World War II (information in English, French and German). Free admission.
Archaeological Museum of Grenoble (Musée Archéologique de Grenoble), Place Saint-Laurent (Saint Laurent). It was first opened in 1846. It is considered a unique archaeological site. More than 3,000 exhibits and objects have been restored here. Tel. (+33) 4 76 44 78 68. The opening day of the museum is May 6, 2011.
parks
Paul Mistral Park is a large park in the center of the city. It includes a roller rink, so people often play street hockey. The park attracts attention with vast lawns and quiet shady alleys. In the center is the Perret Tower, built in 1925 for an international exhibition dedicated to hydropower. And when illuminated by blue lights at night, it looks a lot like both Doctor Who's sonic screwdriver and the tower of Mordor. For at least 40 years it was impossible to climb it due to safety issues.
Food. What to try
If you'd like to have an extensive guide to eateries with you when you travel, The Guide du Dahu is probably the best guide to restaurants in Grenoble. The work of 20 Grenoble Business School students, it has 300 pages covering restaurants, bars, culture, sports and nightlife. You can buy it for 2.50 euros in tobacco and bookstores in the city. The Petit Futé series also offers a Grenoble guide that provides a huge list of restaurants and other establishments.
Boulangeries and Patisseries not only bake delicious pies and cakes, but also sell small quiches, paninis (grilled Italian sandwiches) and cold sandwiches. Grenoble is the “nut” capital of France, so look for small cakes (gateaux) with nut cream, especially in winter.
Only here you can buy first-hand Chartreuse herbal liqueur, traditionally made by the monks of Grande Chartreuse, a monastery located high in the mountains an hour's drive from Grenoble.
You can find many good restaurants in the city center, roughly between the train station, Place Saint-André and Place Notre Dame. The city's ST-Laurent (on the north side of the Ysere) has a number of Italian restaurants and pizzerias. There are also several restaurants in Rue Brocherie and in the Place Aux Herbes area. In winter, you should definitely try traditional Alpine dishes such as fondue, raclette and the legendary tartiflet.
Safety. What to watch out for
- The Drak is a small river and may appear safe, but the water level can change quickly, especially when the upstream dam is released.
- Avoid the Villeneuve area at night (tram stops La Bruyère, Harlequin and Grand Place) and the village of Olympique.
- Beware of pickpockets on tram and bus lines. Although petty theft is not common in Grenoble, it does exist.
- Bicycle theft in Grenoble is very common.
Things to do
For more information, visit the Isère Tourist Board website.
Education
Grenoble has been a center of academic science since the 14th century. Many universities are located on a purpose-built huge modern campus in St Martin d "Heres (accessible by tram, lines B, C and D). Here are the universities of science and technology (Joseph Fourier), humanities and social sciences (Pierre Mendès-France) , languages, literature (Stendhal) and political sciences (Sciences PO).
Also in Grenoble there are several Grandes Ecoles - engineering schools in the field of physics, chemistry, electricity, as well as a well-known business school. Browse Grenoble INP and Grenoble Ecole de Management for education in innovation and technology management specializations.
French courses are available at Alliance Francaise.
Cinemas
You will find several cinemas in the city centre, for example among the pedestrian streets or in the multiplex Nef Chavant. If you want to watch an English or American film with French subtitles, head to La Nef on Boulevard Edouard Rey, near Place Victor Hugo.
Hammam
If you want a spa/hammam, you'll have to get out of the city and head to the suburbs like Echirol or Meylan.
