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Things to do in Grenoble

About Grenoble

Grenoble is well-known for the mountains and ski slopes surrounding the city. However, there is much more than just skiing and hiking to enjoy during your visit. Even though getting into the mountains is one of the best things about visiting Grenoble.

Places of Interest in Grenoble

A surprising fact about the city of Grenoble is that it is one of the flattest cities in France even though it is surrounded by mountains. Take the chance to experience the city from a different angle, rent a bike to travel around the city just like a local. If you want to have the best view of Grenoble, take either the funicular or walk up to the Fort de la Bastille. This 19th-century military fort is still open for visitors to walk around, but many people go up for picnics or stargazing. A roundtrip on the funicular with a student ID will cost 5.90€ while walking up is free. Close to the entrance of the funicular is the Jardin de Ville, here you will find people of all ages lounging and enjoying each other’s company when the weather is nice. If you are a castle and history lover, taking a short trip outside of the city to Castle of Vizille is something you should add to the lists of things to do. The castle and its surrounding grounds seem to take on a different personality with every season. Inside of the castle is home to The Museum of the French Revolution providing guests with an easy-to-follow background of the Revolution along with art pieces from the era. Entrance to the castle, grounds, and museum are all free of charge. No trip to a new city is complete without trying their gastronomic specialties. While in Grenoble be sure to try the cheese-heavy dish of raclette as well as the green liquor of Chartreuse. You will find Chartreuse in near to everything from cocktails to candies. Any bar or restaurant you walk into in Grenoble will have Chartreuse on their shelves.

Culture and History of Grenoble

If you are more of the adventurous traveler interested in hiking or skiing depending on the season, then Grenoble just may be your paradise. There are many hiking trails to chose from around the area. If you start from Place du Château (Vizille), you will be able to hike along the Le Belvédère de Vizille. This 6km long route has been designated as an easy route but be aware that there is a steep portion of the path at one point however the views from the summit is stunning and totally Instagram worthy. If you are looking for more of a stroll than a hike, the path between Luitel and Prémol is just for you. Only being 4km long and very flat you can get outdoors and enjoy the French countryside without real strain. The route starts at the Luitel Natural Reserve car park. These are just two of the many different hiking trails one can take while in Grenoble with a little research and a visit to the tourist office in Grenoble, you will be able to find a route perfect for you and everyone in your travel group.

Grenoble, France and the surrounding French alp towns are synonymous with winter sports. If you are lucky enough to travel to Grenoble during ski season, take the opportunity to hit one of the many world-class slopes. Alpe D’Huez Grand Domaine Ski is the largest ski area in the region covering five ski resorts. Skiers of all levels will be able to find a slope here. During certain times of the season, you may be able to get a student discount. Even if you are not a pro skier, the parties and food at Alpe D’Huez are so great that it is a memory that can erase your lack of skiing skills.

Interesting Facts about Grenoble

Grenoble lies in a fun and dynamic region of France close to the Swiss border. If you have the time to add another city to your itinerary there are a plethora within a few hours to choose from. Flixbus runs buses between many of these places so check out the route map online to be sure. Only about an hour and a half away is Lyon, France. Lyon is the largest city in the region and the second largest city in France. Here you will be able to wander around Roman ruins and enjoy some of the best food in France. If you’d like to get a taste of Switzerland during your trip to France, it only takes about two and a half hours to reach Geneva. Once in Geneva, you can stroll its streets looking for wonderful trinkets, tasting chocolate along the way and end the day by walking around Lake Geneva. The town of Annecy, France has a gorgeous mixture of old and new architecture that flows seamlessly into the sweet city that few tourists know about. After touring Chateau d’Annecy and visiting Lake Annecy you may begin to believe that such a perfect place exists, plus it’s only 2 and a half hours from Grenoble.

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Discover Grenoble through Macy's eyes

Hej! I am an American grad student studying and living in Sweden. Being a grad student, I have perfected the act of budget traveling. I have a fierce passion for cute dogs, film festivals, coffee and traveling. Join me as I work towards my personal goal of visiting all 28 EU countries before I graduate in June 2019! Feel free to pop over to my personal blog, Little Mouse. Big World, to read more about my travels while balancing grad school life.