The snowy peaks looming over the city hint at its status as one of the centres of Alpine sport. Not only that but Grenoble is also a major regional centre for commerce, shopping, culture and entertainment.
Landscape
Grenoble stands on a flat plain where the rivers Isere and Drac meet. The weather in the city is surprisingly mild due to its low altitude, and the shelter provided by mountains in all directions.
There are around 20 ski resorts within a short drive, while you can often see the peak of Mont Blanc in the distance.
At the heart of Grenoble is the Vieille Ville, the historic centre with cobbled streets and ancient squares. Drive around the rest of the city and you’ll find lots of green parks and gardens that have replaced many old industrial sites. The best are the rose gardens of the Jardin du Ville and the Jardin des Dauphins, where you’ll find bananas and pomegranates growing outdoors.
City of museums
The broad curved façade of the Grenoble Museum is the gateway to an impressive collection of art. It’s a good place to while away a few hours browsing galleries that cover the whole history of western painting, from the early Renaissance right up to modern art. Star attractions include Rubens’ ‘Pope St Gregory’, Modigliani’s ‘Woman with White Collar’, and Chagall’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Grenoble has so many different museums that the interests of almost every visitor are sure to be covered. They include collections dedicated to medical science, natural history, contemporary art, archaeology, industry, local history, mountain warfare and the French Resistance.
Get out and about
A few minutes’ drive from Grenoble, the magnificent chateau of Vizille is a turreted 17th-century castle overlooking its own lake and parkland. It was the unlikely spot for a meeting that began the French Revolution and now houses a museum that explores the overthrow of the monarchy and all that followed.
Less than 30 minutes from the city you can be in the protected countryside of the Regional Natural Park of Chartreuse. The roads may be narrow and winding but the views are wide and enthralling. In summertime these Alpine foothills are perfect for hiking, while in winter they’re great for skiing.
Head southwest from Grenoble and you’ll soon be in the Vercors Natural Park. It’s even more rugged than Chartreuse, with rocky gorges, deep forests and mountain views. In the winter there are busy ski resorts and inspiring cross-country trails here.
Explore all that this great area has to offer with car hire from Hertz in Grenoble.
