Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps, Grenoble is a bustling city in southern France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It’s home to impressive museums, world-class art galleries and a hilltop fortress and a popular base for winter sports in the surrounding region.
Things to do in Grenoble
Overlooking the city of Grenoble is the Bastille, a centuries-old fortress used to defend France against the Duchy of Savoy. Ride the scenic cable car to soak up the spectacular views before visiting the Museum of Mountain Troops and the Bastille Art Centre. A highlight of visiting the Bastille is exploring the Mandarin Caves, which are accessed along an underground passage.
Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Musée de Grenoble, which occupies a contemporary building on the left bank of the Isère River. It houses ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian artefacts (including a 6th-century mummified body), as well as modern works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Joan Miro and Wassily Kandinsky.
One of Grenoble’s most popular green spaces is Parc Paul Mistral, which was designed on a former military engineering ground and is watched over by the city’s Hotel de Ville. A network of tree-lined walking trails wind between its monuments and grassy lawns where everything from tai chi to yoga classes and ultimate frisbee games are held.
Getting around Grenoble
Grenoble is just over an hour’s drive from Lyon and Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Trains connect from towns and cities across the region to the Grenoble railway station while both buses and trams travel throughout Grenoble. The centre of Grenoble is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.