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5 must-see places to visit in Grenoble and 5 places to avoid
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What to do in Grenoble for a short stay?
You are going to spend a short stay in Grenoble and you are wondering which activities to favor? We give you some tips and ideas to help you enjoy this atypical city to the fullest.
Key points of interest in Grenoble
In Grenoble, we have a fairly huge range of possible activities for those who are a bit sporty. If you're not, it gets a little complicated, but you could quickly become so by staying with us!
The 5 must-see places to visit in Grenoble
The Bastille of Grenoble
There's no way to get to Grenoble without going up there. By the famous bubbles of Grenoble, by the stairs or the path, or even by via ferrata, all means are good and you will have for your effort. Breathtaking view, historic building, well-maintained infrastructure, panoramic terrace, tree climbing /caving friendly for families.
Forget the refreshment bar at the top of the eggs but we hope that one day it will be good. On the other hand, if you are hungry and especially want to eat well in an exceptional setting, push to Per'Gras.
We can only encourage you to push further to the minimu to Mount Jalla or even to the summit of Rachais by a very pleasant path that winds against the mountain massifs.
The historic centre of Grenoble
Ugly Grenoble? Come and walk instead in the antique dealers' district, place du tribunal or on the quays of the Isère. While the "historic" area with interesting buildings is not huge but it is worth a visit and most streets are now pedestrianised. Many high-quality cafes and bookstores reassure us about the vitality of this city compared to other cities killed by shopping malls. Here, we stroll, we consume (a little) responsibly, we even find bulk shops like the Good Pickaxe.
Grenoble Museums
Isère has no less than 70 museums whose activities are well described on the Culture Isère website. The Grenoble Museum offers temporary exhibitions that are mostly popular. The museum by itself is interesting and incorporates a café restaurant – the 5 – very decent and a high quality concert hall (Museum in music). The Musée Dauphinois (free) offers much-loved exhibitions with an obvious local anchorage. It deals as much with history as with telephone, flora or gastronomy. Not to be missed, this museum is housed in the convent of Saint Mary D'en Haut. A little further, the museum of the revolution in Vizille remains a must with a (long) walk in the beautiful park of the castle.
The Mont/ Fort Saint Eynard
Perched on the cliff of the Chartreuse, this fort is a little out of time. Beyond the historical and military interest, the environment of Mount Saint Eynard is extraordinary. Less stormed than La Bastille, the panorama is even more spectacular because it is more than 1000m above sea level. Mont Blanc seems close by, the flora quite special blends perfectly with the rock to make this austere place a rejuvenating place. If you're driving, push to the top in 15 minutes. You will feel all the time really "in the mountains" and weightlessness above the city. Day or night, walking from Vence Pass (1h) or by car, just GO!
The South Pole ice rink
Well it was necessary to have at least one place related to sport because the city of Grenoble remains marked by its sporting history. The 1968 Olympic Games shaped the city well and worse, but we still keep the very popular speed ring of Paul Mistral Park, the Sports Palace (good step ouf), the Olympic Village (mouais). The historic ice rink on Boulevard Clémenceau was replaced in 2001 by a 4000-seat complex at the level of the local team Les Bruleurs de loups. The small frustration is that the official track is only very rarely open to the public but in compensation, the leisure track benefits from large bay windows to skate as in the open air.
Attending a match of the Bruleurs de Loups is a must-see in Grenoble. Assured atmosphere and guaranteed emotion. Tip: go see a U18 or U20 match. Almost as spectacular in terms of level of play and often free (and not complete).
The main places to flee in Grenoble
The city of Grenoble has developed a little too fast, wedged between its four massifs – which have not always been well assumed or really respected!
The 5 places to escape in Grenoble to avoid ruining your stay
Grand Place
The temple of mass consumption, of bad food, is located on the edge of Echirolles. All the brands are jostling with the offers that can be found everywhere else. Apart from the nearby ice rink, to avoid absolutely!
The "modern" Grenoble
The development of Grenoble in the 1960s and 1970s caused enormous damage. One could imagine a contest of the ugliest building, without pointing the finger at certain neighborhoods, it is enough to follow the course of the Liberation (one of the largest avenues of France) to realize the extent of the damage. More generally, the most affected municipalities surround Grenoble: Saint Martin D'Heres, Echirolles, Poisat, Fontaine, Meylan, etc. But beware, each of these municipalities retains a small "village center" old friendly and pleasant residential or popular areas. La Tronche is one of the only towns very close to the city centre to have been relatively spared.
<h3Place Grenette
At the same time unavoidable and also of little interest, this place brings together coffee of standardized chains, Galeries Lafayettes, La Fnac, France Leisure. We have nothing against but it is useless to come to Grenoble to see this, you will find – in this style – much better in Paris or Lyon.
The City Hotel
Yes the town hall of Grenoble is perplexing and everyone is entitled to wonder if the city called on a professional architect at the time so the building is horrible. However, the administrative procedures are very efficient and my faith, even if everyone would like to do it again, as long as it remains functional, we will be content with it. Yet the Mistral Park and the stadium just behind are great successes as well as the plant garden just across the street.