Grenoble City Guide
Known as the “capital of the Alps”, Grenoble is situated in the Isère valley and is one of the best sun traps in France, with an impressive 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. Grenoble has a wealth of museums and heritage sites so why not visit this fascinating city and explore all it has to offer.
What to do and see in and around Grenoble
Notre Dame District
Also known as Grenoble’s old town on the left bank of the Isère, the Notre Dame District is the hub of the city and the place to go to enjoy a coffee or a spot of shopping.
Museum of the French Revolution
For anyone interested in the bloody history of the French Revolution, this museum gives you an insight into unfolding events and the ideals of the revolutionaries in late 18th century France, as well as the subsequent reverberations of the Revolution across the rest of Europe at that time. You can find the Museum of the French Revolution in the Château of Vizille.
Musée de Grenoble
This renowned art gallery holds a substantial collection of both ancient and modern art from well-known artists such as Matisse, Chagall, Klee and Miró. The Museum also exhibits contemporary work from the likes of Morellet, Lavier and Wesselman.
Musée Bayard
This museum is dedicated to the fearless Knight Bayard and the époque in which he lived (1476-1524). Fittingly the museum is a heritage spot itself, dating back to 1404 in part. There are also displays on the French Knights and the Italian wars.
Abbaye de Saint Chef
Dating back to the Middle Ages, only part of the Saint-Chef Abbey has survived the years; the church with its stunning collection of 12th century Romanesque frescoes remains a popular site for visitors to the area.
Horloge Solaire
If you are a lover of astronomy, why not take the opportunity to visit Lycée Stendhal to see the largest reflective sundial in the world. Completed in 1673 by Father Bonfa and the pupils of his Jesuit College, the fresco encompasses 100m2 of ceiling and wall space in the main stairwell and uses the reflection of the sun to accurately tell solar time and the month and sign of the zodiac. Much more interesting than looking at your watch.
La Bastille
What better way to see the beauty of Grenoble’s surroundings then to take the cable car or “Eggs” (they are egg shaped) up to La Bastille, Grenoble’s ancient fortifications. La Bastille, once used to protect Grenoble on all sides, now serves as the ideal spot from which to view the city and the beauty of the Chartreuse massif.
Chemin de fer de la mure
This former coal train traverses 142 bridges, 18 tunnels and 122 bends as it twists and turns along 30 kilometres of railway built into the mountain side over 100 years ago. This 2 hour journey offers stunning views of the Rhône-Alpes région.
Musée de la resistance et de la deportation
This commemorative museum looks at the role Grenoble had to play in World War two and traces significant events in the region as well as taking an in depth look at the men and women who were involved. The exhibition presents the stages of joining the Resistance as well as the secret campaigns involved, it also gives you an insight into the deportation and the repression which was rife at the time.
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