Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Things to Do in Grenoble
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Europe » France » Rhône-Alpes » Grenoble » Things To Do

Grenoble Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Grenoble Things To Do

Reviews and photos of Grenoble attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Grenoble sightseeing.
Grenoble Map
Grenoble Things To DoTips 1 - 10 of 151  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
La Bastille
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • By JLBG on April 20, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    The Rachais Mountain, which belongs to the Chartreuse Massif, overhangs the city of Grenoble. On its upper shelf, a Middle Ages stronghold was established but is now hardly visible. Its lower shelf was too "embastillé" (fortified) since the Middle Ages but between 1823 and 1845 a whole set of defense was built. It is the most complete example of military architecture of the XIXth century. It is made of a fortress on top of the hill and of half buried bastions that go down to the Isère, in the valley. It has been the key of the protection system of Grenoble and of the Alps front.

    It was completed by a whole series of forts, on each shelf of the mountains around Grenoble. The army has sold them all in the 80s.

    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.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: 04.76.44.33.65.
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Grenoble?

    Read reviews about Grenoble Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Quartier St Laurent
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • Updated By JLBG on April 23, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    This photos shows on the right bank of the Isére, the "quartier Saint Laurent". On the left bank, a square tower is on the back of the "Musée de Grenoble". A little further, the clock-tower of Saint André. In the background the Vercors Massif with the Moucherotte mountain.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Fontaine du Lion et du Serpent, close up
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • By JLBG on April 20, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    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.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Palais de justice ancien
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • By JLBG on April 20, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    This building is the jewel of the ancient Grenoble. Since its building and until 2004, it has always been dedicated to Justice. Before the Revolution, it was the "Parlement du Dauphiné". Magistrates dispensed justice, lead administration, Treasury and politics. This mixture of activity produced in 1788 riots that made Grenoble the cradle of the French Revolution.

    The Dauphiné parliament, created in 1453 by the "Dauphin" Louis that beacame King Louis XI is one of the oldest in France. It was sitting in the heart of the city, inside the Roman city wall. The "Parlement du Dauphiné" was built around 1480 in a Gothic flamboyant style in stone. The presence of half vegetal dolphins in a frieze shows that it was built when Grenoble was a stage for Italian artists that were going to introduce the Renaissance in France.

    The decor is full of fantasy and cheats with the eye : only a very accurate eye will not the statue of Justice, though in the center of the entrance is not set with what is over ! There are many irregularities. Windows are not in alignment, decors hit other unfinished decors. It is typical of the first French Renaissance, though it took almost one century to be achieved. The roof is topped with slates, sign of wealth, compared with tiles covered other buildings.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Lesdiguières mansion and Musée Stendhal
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • By JLBG on April 20, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    1, rue Hector Berlioz - 38 000 Grenoble Tél : 04.76.54.44.14.
    The Lesdiguières mansion became later the town hall until 1968. It is now the Stendhal museum. The XVIIIth century living rooms present paintings and drawings of Stendhal, of his family and friends. It shows Stendhal autographs and original prints of several of his books

    Open: From November 1st to Easter, open only Saturdays and Sundays, 14h-18h.
    From Easter to July 15th and from September 15th to November 1st, open daily except Mondays and bank holidays 14h-18h.
    From July 15th to September 15th, open daily except Mondays and bank holidays 9h-12h and 14h-18h.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Grenoble?

    Read reviews about Grenoble Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Porte de France
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • Updated By JLBG on April 23, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    On the limit between Grenoble and Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux, the Porte de France is one of the few remains of the city walls built by Lesdiguières. A 1620 carving in Latin reminds that this entrance was first called Porte Royale : it was dedicated to Louis XIII and François de Bonne, duke of Lesdiguières, peer and marschal of France. It was restaured in 1847-48. In 1932, it was turned into a "Monument aux Morts" to honor the dead of 1914-1918 World War.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    La Bastille "les Bulles" seen from rue de Belgrade
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • Updated By JLBG on April 23, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    From the railway station, when you reach the Isère river (200 m), by the "Rue de Belgrade" (this photo), walk another 200m to the ''téléphérique de la Bastille''. It will take you in a few minutes to the ''Fort de La Bastille'', a Vauban built fort that dominate the city with a wonderful landscape. When you are in the ''bubble'' of the telepherique, you will see on the opposite bank of the Isere, the oldest part of Grenoble, ''Quartier Saint Laurent'' and an interesting museum in the ancient convent "Sainte Marie d'en haut" (upper Saint Mary).

    If you enlarge the photo, you will see the road sign "rue de Belgrade"

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Lesdiguières mansion and Musée Stendhal
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • Updated By JLBG on April 23, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    Henry BEYLE was born on 1783 January 23rd in Grenoble. He is one of the top French novelist of the XIXth, know under the name of STENDHAL. His father wanted him to run for "École Polytechnique" but he wanted to be a writer. As a cavalry sub-lieutenant in the army of Bonaparte, he discovers Italy and falls in love with the country. His first travels in Italy made him write "Histoire de la peinture en Italie". In 1814, after the fall of Napol?on, he is jobless but chose to stay in his beloved Italy. He write "Vie de Haydn", "Vie de Mozart" et "Vie de Métastase", mainly for his living.

    Between 1814 and 1830, Stendhal lives as a dilettante. He lives in Paris but travels very often to Italy. He dedicates more and more time to writing. In 1817, he writes "Rome, Naples et Florence". In 1930, one of his most famous novels "le Rouge et le Noir"

    In 1831, he gets the position of Consul in Civitavecchia. Between 1831 and 1841, he travels extensively across Italy and dedicates most of his time to writing. He writes "les Souvenirs d'?gotisme" in 1832, "Lucien Leuwen" and "la Vie de Henry Brulard" in 1835 and his masterpiece "La Chartreuse de Parme" in 1838.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Stendhal house, the yard
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • By JLBG on April 20, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    If, instead of climbing the staircase that leads to the Gagnon apartment, you walk a few meters towards the small paved yard, you will discover this small (1.5 m high) sculpture of two nude children playing. It does not seem to have been designed to be there but it seems to have been drop here and forgotten. As the yard is damp, it is covered with moss and algae. What is it, I do not know, but will try to learn.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Pont St Laurent, "Fontaine du Lion et du Serpent
  • Tip Rating:
    • JLBG
  • By JLBG on April 20, 2005
  • Grenoble Page by JLBG
    • Grenoble Things To Do
    by JLBG
    In line with the Pont Saint Laurent, the Fontaine du Lion et du Serpent (see next tip). The Musée Dauphinois can be reached by the "Montée Chalamont", beginning by a vaulted passage on the left side of the fountain. The Institute of Geogrphy nd the Institute of Geology are on top of the photo. If you enlarge the photo, you will see on le top left the "bulles" of the telephérique.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... 16
    More Grenoble Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 28 - Photos: 16
    Things To Do
    Tips: 151 - Photos: 178    		Nightlife
    Tips: 12 - Photos: 4
    Transportation
    Tips: 37 - Photos: 37    		Restaurants
    Tips: 56 - Photos: 62
    Shopping
    Tips: 14 - Photos: 17    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 29 - Photos: 43
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 2    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 8
    Local Customs
    Tips: 16 - Photos: 14    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 1
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 12 - Photos: 18    		General Tips
    Tips: 74 - Photos: 72
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0
    Best Grenoble Travel Deals

    Grenoble France Hotel
    Book any hotel, anywhere & Get our Best Price Guarantee at Expedia

    Cheap France Flights
    Enjoy France in Fall. Tickets from $399 - Book your Ticket Now!

    Paris Vacation Packages
    Outstanding Paris Packages & Deals Book Now & Get Away For Less!

    Hotels in Grenoble
    The clever choice for a smart stay is at Express by Holiday Inn.

    Paris 35€ per night
    Cool hotels, hostels, apartments Always 35€/night. Always central

    Sponsored Links

    More Grenoble Travel Deals

    Get Great Deals to Paris
    Save with Air France®. Book your flight today!

    13 Grenoble Hotels
    A great choice of B&Bs & Hotels Low rates & instant confirmation

    7.500 Hotels in France
    Book your hotel in France online. Great rates. No reservation fee!

    Sponsored Links

    Grenoble Hotels

    Cheap hotels from
    Cheap flights from
    Cheap car rentals from
    Cheap cruises from
    Cheap vacations from




    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.