Grenoble has a surplus of natural beauty. Sliced through by the Isère River, with the Alps looming in the near distance, it’s the perfect place to stop and contemplate not just the wonder of nature, but also the manmade ingenuity that built this city.
The river banks alone are stuffed with sights to see, while the historic quarter and the mighty mountains are irresistible to visitors.
City splendour
Before tackling the Alps or array of scenic parks, make the most of the city itself. Grenoble is a vibrant and cosmopolitan place, teeming with galleries and museums, restaurants and cafes. Overseeing it all is the old fortress, Fort de la Bastille. The climb on foot is a long and steep one, so ride the téléphérique to the top – a cable car that has been running since the 1930s. Once you reach the fort, you’ll be rewarded with sensational views across Grenoble and beyond.
Of the rich selection of museums, the Musée de Grenoble is perhaps the pick. The art housed here spans eight centuries, with a famed 17th-century collection to be marvelled at within. The modern era isn’t neglected either, and you can walk from Picasso to Matisse to Rubens in minutes. Delving even further back, there are antiquities from Rome, Egypt and Greece to be found as well.
Lovers of food are well catered for too, with excellent restaurants covering a range of budgets. Book ahead for Auberge Napoleon, where the chef specialises in luxurious French cooking such as crunchy boar stew or sea bream fillet with bouillabaisse sauce. Simply delicious.
Alpine adventures
Even outside of winter, the Alps are a sight to behold. If winter sports aren’t your thing, then just opt for some of the mountain drives, offering breath-taking vistas from every angle. However, skiing is a speciality in these parts, as the city is a former host of the Winter Olympics, and car hire from Grenoble Airport puts a number of resorts at your disposal.
Saint Pierre de Chartreuse is one of the best and most popular, but there’s also Chamrousse, Villard-de-Lans and the famous Alpe d’Huez. Find the one that best matches your tastes, and skill level. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s a ski slope for everyone here.
On the trail of Napoleon
Grenoble was the final destination for the French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte after he fled Elba in 1815 and marched from the Cote d’Azur to the Alps. There’s a marked road route called La Route Napoleon that you can drive down now, taking you past major landmarks and some stunning sights.
The first of these is Chateau de Vizille, a short drive from Grenoble. It played a key role in the French Revolution and you can explore the history of the building or just admire the landscaped gardens and serene lake. From here, the route heads south to Laffrey Lake, the majestic citadel at Sisteron (which has a Napoleon museum) and Grasse, the home of French perfumes. A sweet-smelling way to end your trip.
From mountaintop views to intriguing art galleries, explore it all with car hire at Grenoble Airport.
