Known as ‘capital of the Alps' due to its proximity to the mountains, Grenoble is a wonderfully scenic city, accessible to the gorgeous mountainside.
Those wanting to enjoy skiing in the Rhône-Alpes region, are best to hire a car from Grenoble, which will give you access to the mountain, and transport for all your kit. For visitors landing here in the warmer climates, the Parc naturel Régional de Chartreuse is an inviting place to discover more of this area. Within this nature park is the Musée de la Grande Chartreuse, a museum which tells the 900 year history of the Grande Chartreuse Monastery, home to the thirty or so monks who still live there under a vow of silence.
Whether you're a keen explorer or just the type who likes to take in the view, there's an array of activities to appease both kinds during a visit to Grenoble. There's plenty of skiing and hiking to be done in the mountains, while the range of museums and galleries makes for an interesting cultural experience. Car hire from Grenoble will get you to the nearby Castle of Vizille, which is not only an attractive building in itself but also home to the Museum of French Revolution. Whilst public transport is available, hiring a car from Grenoble is the best way to get acquainted with more of the wider region around the Alps.
