Grenoble Travel Guide (Alps)

Our Travel Guide “French Alps and mountain & ski resorts in winter and summer”, what is interesting to see and visit.

Grenoble is a prefecture and the largest city of the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (see map Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) in southeastern France. It is located at the foot of the French Alps, where the river Drac flows into the Isère (Isère). An important European scientific and cultural center, the city actually represents itself as the “capital of the Alps” due to its size and proximity to the mountains. The history of Grenoble goes back over 2000 years, since it was a village of the Gallic tribe of the Allobroges. It became the capital of the Dauphiné in the 11th century. This status, secured by the annexation of France, allowed her to develop her economy. Grenoble then became a parliamentary and military city, close to the border with Savoy. Industrial development has increased Grenoble’s prominence during several periods of economic growth over the past three centuries. It began with a boom in the production of gloves in the 18th and 19th centuries, continued with the development of powerful hydropower in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and ended with an economic boom after World War II, symbolized by the X Olympic Games (“Winter Games” of 1968). of the most important centers of research, technology and innovation in Europe, one in five residents work directly in these areas. It is classified as a global city with a sufficiency rating by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. In 2022, it will receive the title of the Green Capital of Europe.
Photo: Walk along Fort Bastille. Viewpoint. This place offers a wonderful panoramic view of the surrounding mountain ranges and the city itself. There are benches where you can relax and chew sandwiches brought with you. And of course, drink them “with what you need” 🙂 There are paid telescopes to help you look at local sights. On the right is the mountain range – Vercors (Chartreuse behind) / Somewhere behind the mountains on the right is the international airport “Grenoble Alpes Isère”. The main ski resorts are right in the distance behind the mountains.
History of the city and locality.
— Antiquity and the Middle Ages
– Revival. From Louis XIV to the French Revolution
19th century and Napoleonic era
— XX century. The Second World War

A series of photographs: Sights of France on old postcards. Collection of the Union of Taxi Drivers, Paris.
Alps. Grenoble. Official text: Fort Rabot and lift to the Bastille.
Fort Rabot dates from the late 15th century. This is the first element of a vast fortified complex, the main element of which is the Bastille, located on top of the rocky plateau of Chartreuse, towering over the city. This advantageous position allows it to control the only lane to the west.
The old photo shows the cable car (lift) from the city center to the top of Fort Bastille.
The Bastille offers a magnificent view of the city itself and its surroundings. There are viewing platforms that have been in great demand among tourists from all over the world for many years. To facilitate the ascent to the observation platforms, a special funicular was built at the beginning of the last century. You can also get here on foot. Walking tour of the fort requires some physical preparation. The ascent takes twenty to thirty minutes. An independent excursion to the fort with the help of a cable car takes two to three hours. But the time depends on what exactly you will visit on the fort, except for the viewing platforms.
The city of Grenoble has
– Museum of Military History, Mining Units
— entertainment and adventure complex
– restaurants
Grenoble, the main attractions, the best sights to see:
– Old town, medieval, gothic and renaissance
– Fort de la Bastille, history and lessons of courage for youth
– Dauphine Museum (Musee Dauphinois) – local history and ski history
– Museum of Resistance and Deportation (Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation)
– Memorial cemetery and graves of soldiers of the First World War (Grenoble)

Best Grenoble hotels
Vacation with children

Transport, Airport, railway communication.
Grenoble has an regional airport. Used to get to the ski resorts of the Alps (an alternative to Geneva and Lyon).

– Geneva airport – taxi, private transfer to ski resorts, rent a car, taxi with an English-speaking driver.
Sightseeing private tours to/ from Grenoble