Grenoble Things to Do

This entrance into the Collégiale Saint André is at the end of the short passage coming from the Place Saint André. The wooden door is heavily nailed and is topped by a bas-relief showing a shepherd with a ewe holding a cross.

The Clock tower of the Collégiale Saint André was built in Gothic style in the XIVth century and is 56 meters high. It is surrounded by houses and cannot be seen better than on this photo. The basement is made of bricks while the needle is carved in tuff and was the model for many clock towers in the province

On the West side of the Place Saint André, the Collégiale Saint André was built in 1228 by the Dauphin Guigues VI. The purpose of the Dauphin and of the Counts was to strengthen their power, to compete with the power of the bishops and to take over them.

The "Pré de la Trésorerie" (treasurer's meadow) was just outside the Roman city wall. It was turned in the XVIIth century by François de Bonne, Duc de Lesdiguières, Governor of the Dauphiné province, into gardens for his mansion and included in the new city wall.

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.

Le musée de la Viscose retrace l'histoire de l'industrie de la rayonne viscose en France.
Mis au point par le comte de Chardonnet dans le Nord-Isère en 1884, ce textile artificiel, fabriqué à partir de la pâte de bois, connaît un développement industriel très important avant de se voir concurrencer par les textiles synthétiques dans les années 1950.

Le musée a été crée en 1989 à la suite de la fermeture de l'usine de Grenoble, dernière usine en France à produire de la rayonne viscose par le procédé turbine.
Sur deux niveaux, il présente successivement l'histoire de l'invention de la soie artificielle, le procédé de fabrication, le travail dans l'usine, la vie des ouvriers dans la cité, et l'histoire de l'usine de Grenoble.
Les machines et objets sont mis en situation à l'aide de vidéos, de photos et de textes qui proposent de nombreux témoignages d'anciens viscosiers.

Le musée dispose également d'un centre de documentation et d'une salle de réunion.

Ouverture : du lundi au samedi de 14h à 17h, fermé les mardis, dimanche et jours fériés.
Visites commentées sur rendez-vous tous les jours de l'année pour les groupes. Les visites sont assurées par d'anciens viscosiers (1h30).

On 1889, April 15th, Mr Montal, Merceron, de Maisonville and Chabrand created the "Syndicat d‘Initiative de Grenoble et du Dauphiné. Its goal was to bring more visitors into Grenoble and its region, to help visitors to have a pleasant stay. It was the first in France. It became later and is now the "Maison du Tourisme" (Tourist Office). The new offices stand in the city center, rue de la République. This is the place that will give you any information to visit Grenoble and its surroundings.
You can visit also this web site for guided tours

The Jesuit college. now lycée Stendhal was built in the XVIIth century In 1673, Father Bonfa built the "Horloge solaire" (sun clock). It is a reflection sun clock that still works perfectly. This fresco covers 100 square meters of walls and ceiling in the main staircase. A mirror is set outside the window and gives a light spot on the lines drawn on the ceiling and the walls. It gives the solar hour, the month and the zodiacal sign. It has been recently restored. There is no other sun clock of that size in the world.
Visits : free, at 17h, every last Friday of each month, except during School holidays.
More on the hotloge solaire and on the Lycée Stendhal itself.

It is now the "Lycée International Stendhal" or better "Cité Stendhal". The International sections have been open in 1987. Half of the pupils are registered in regular sections, the other half in International sections. There are four international sections : English, German, Spanish and Italian. They are primarily designed for the children of foreigners working several years in one of the international facilities of Grenoble. They deliver a double culture, French and of the selected country, language, literature, history and geography. They are designed to allow the children to feel at home in both countries, whichever one they chose to settle. These section prepare both the French Baccalauréat and the equivalent foreign degree.