About Grenoble

Although well noted as a winter play place with many alpine ski resorts nearby, Grenoble also offers numerous outdoor activities during the warmer parts of the year. The many universities located here add an intellectual and international feeling to this enchanting yet isolated city. Grenoble is home to one of the World Trade Centers and several strong international businesses. The Museum of Art and the many historical Napoleonic streets all contribute to the distinguishing character of this city. A mechanical lift takes visitors up the overlooking mountain to the old fort, offering a breathtaking view. The fort represents the highly interesting and important history of Grenoble during the Spanish Inquisition. After a full day of activities, visit either the Italian section on the left bank, or one of the many intimate and warm restaurants found along the narrow, old streets.

Grenoble Tourist Office
City Map

Le Téléphérique de Grenoble - Bastille
Since 1934, the Bastille site has been linked to the city by what at the time was Europe's first cable-car in a town centre. The short breathtaking ride in the "Eggs" sweeps visitors up to the viewing platforms, discovery trails around the fortifications, recreation areas, café, restaurant, footpaths and fitness circuits.

Fort de (la Bastille)
As early as 1934, La Bastille was connected to the city center by a teleferique. It was the first city teleferique in the world. A completely new teleferique was built in the 70s with 5 small cabins instead of a large one, locally known as "les Bulles" (the bubbles). The Bastille trip with the teleferique is a must. It offers a birds eye view on the roofs of the "quartier Saint Laurent", the oldest part of Grenoble and after a few minutes a panoramic view on the surrounding massifs and on the city. It is possible either to go down to the city by the teleferic or to take one of the trails that follow the fortifications and reach the valley.

Musée de Grenoble
Founded in 1796, this is one of the country's oldest art museums. It was the first French museum outside of Paris to focus on modern art, a fact appreciated by Picasso, who donated his Femme Lisant in 1921. The collection includes Flemish and Italian Renaissance works, but the Impressionist paintings generate the most interest.

Musée de l'Ancien Evêché
The fine collection of art here is made from wood and glass, which chronicles the historical development of the region's culture. Exhibits are further augmented by a series of photographs and brief documentaries.

Fontaine du Lion et du Serpent
Place de la Cymaise, Fontaine du Lion (Lion fountain), a bombastic statue by the sculptor Sappey and molted by Crozatier. It symbolize the fight between the winding Isère river (the snake) and its affluent, the torrential Drac river (the Lion), that has flooded Grenoble several times in the past. The snak is molted in bronze while the lion is carved in white lime stone from Sassenage.

Le Bois Francais Lake and Park
The park covers an area of 100 hectares and has a very large lake in the centre of it. There are a number of watersports on offer at the lake and there are always life guards on duty. The park has a number of facilities, including a swimming area; a beach area; canoeinf; water skiing; a cafe; picnic areas; fitness trails; and nature trails.

Chartreuse, Vercors and Belledonne mountains