Grenoble

Grenoble is a city of around 158,000 inhabitants (550,000 taking into account the metropolitan area) in the French Alps.

The climate is quite cold in winter, with days of snow almost every year. Summers are known to be hot, as mountains surrounding the town stop any wind. Grenoble is crossed by two rivers, the Drac and the Isère ("the lion and the serpent"), and is surrounded by three mountain chains, the Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne.

The city is renowned for its universities on the campus, for its scientific research centers in the northeast of the city, including Minatec for nanotechnologies, CEA the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, a French National Center for Scientific Research agency, the European Synchrotron for high-brilliance source of X-rays, the Institut Laue-Langevin for the most powerful source of neutron in the world, the EMBL the Europe’s flagship laboratory for the life sciences as well as for its industrial center in the western suburbs : Meylan, Montbonnot and Crolles including high-tech companies such as STmicroelectronics and Motorola. Therefore it hosts a relatively large population of foreign scientists and students.

• Bastille Hill. An ancient series of fortifications overlooking Grenoble. May be reached by cable car, round trip €8, or by a 40-minute hike. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains from the top. On the Saint-Laurent side, giant stairways are impressive to climb or descend.
• Parc Paul Mistral. is a big park in the center of the city. It includes a roller skating rink and people often play street hockey. The park also boasts extensive lawns and quiet tree-lined avenues. At the center stands the tower Perret, built in 1925 for an international exposition about water-power. When illuminated at night with blue lights, it bears a considerable resemblance to both Dr. Who's sonic screwdriver and the Tower of Mordor. For at least 50 years, it has been impossible to go up due to safety problems. After renovations, the tower will reopen to the public in 2022.
• Musée de Grenoble, 5, place Lavalette (near the Cathedral, tramway B at stop Notre-Dame, +33 4 76 63 44 10. W-M 10:00-18:30, closed on Dec 25, Jan 1, May 1. The museum is worth seeing for the modern, smart building alone. It houses paintings of the Florentine school, majestic large formats of French, Flemish, Dutch and Spanish schools and also houses a nice collection of modern art; among others, the museum holds four Picassos, a few good Matisses, one Miro, one Kandinsky and one Andy Warhol. Two rooms contain antiquities from ancient Egypt, with particularly beautiful sarcophagi, the city of Grenoble is linked to the story of Champollion and that of Egyptology. The museum also organizes two exhibitions every year. €8, free 1st Sunday of the month.
• Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Grenoble, 1 rue Dolomieu, +33 4 76 44 05 35. Tu-F 09:15-12:00 & 13:30-18:00, Sa Su 14:00-18:00, closed Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25. Facilities for the disabled. The museum has some nice collections on the subject of mineralogy and Alpine wildlife, and also houses an aquarium. €5, free 1st Sunday of the month.

• Musée Dauphinois, 30, rue Maurice-Gignoux, +33 4 76 85 19 01. W-M: Oct-May 10:00-18:00, Jun-Sep 10:00-19:00, closed 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. This museum is housed in the former convent of Ste-Marie-d'en-Haut, on the side of the Bastille hill. It houses permanent and temporary exhibitions about the people and lifestyle of the historic province of Dauphiné. There are also exhibitions with wider interest as on the solar clocks in 2014, on the links with Japan in 2019. But the visit of the chapel is the main attraction of the museum. Outside the building are pleasant gardens with a nice view over the city. Access by car is difficult and it is best to walk to it by the climb of Chalemont via the Saint-Laurent footbridge. Exhibitions are in both French and English. Free.
• Musée De L'Ancien Eveché, 2, rue Très Cloître, +33 4 76 03 15 25. M W-Sa 09:00-18:00, Tu 13:30-18:00, Su 10:00-19:00. Admission is free. The museum is housed in the former bishop's palace on Place Notre Dame. It displays objects and pieces of art narrating the history of the Isère region and its people from Prehistoric times up to the present. Under the museum is an archaeological crypt; the remains of the city's Roman walls and a remarkable 4th Century baptistry, discovered during work on tram line B, are not to be missed. Ask for a free audioguide (French or English) at reception.
• Museum of Resistance and Deportation, 14 rue Hebert, +33 4 76 42 38 53. Hours vary (check site). History of the extremely active French resistance in the Alps during World War II. Information is in English, French and German. Entry is free.
• Musée Archéologique de Grenoble, +33 4 76 44 78 68. Place Saint Laurent. Opened in 1846. It is considered to be a unique archeological site. Over 3000 artifacts and objects have been recovered here..
• Museum of the moutain troops, Summit of Bastille Hill (climb the Bastille by foot or cable car, +33 4 76 00 92 25. €3 (€1.50 for students and over 65s, free for under 18s).

• St. Roch Cemetery (French: Cimetière Saint-Roch) is the first municipal cemetery in the city of Grenoble, France. Blessed by the bishop of Grenoble Claude Simon on 19 August 1810. It is the largest cemetery in the city with 13 ha, (32.11 acres). It's on rue du Souvenir, alongside the Isère, in the district of Ile Verte. It is the only cemetery intramural city and has 25,000 graves (824 classified as remarkable) over an area 13 hectares. Political leaders, military or artististiques are buried in this cemetery. But the most important tombs are represented by manufacturers of gloves. Sculptors Victor Sappey, Henri Ding, Eustache Bernard, Aimé-Charles Irvoy, Urbain Basset are buried in this cemetery. Many mayors of the city since the French Revolution's are buried in this cemetery. Since Joseph-Marie de Barral, mayor in 1790, to Albert Michallon, mayor from 1959 to 1965. The painters Jules flandrin and Jean Achard are buried in St Roch. The most prestigious monument in Saint Roch cemetery is the chapel of Saint Roch, built in 1826 to replace the old chapel bearing the same name, built in the fifteenth century near a hospital for lepers.
• Palace of the Parliament of dauphiné, the courthouse until 2002. (Place Saint Andre). A 15th-century building belonging to the Isère Council. An ongoing renovation project will give this building new lease of life whilst respecting its patrimonial character and adding a modern touch at the same time.
• The Cathedral (place Notre-Dame, tramway B) has been extensively restored in recent years. A free tourist guide gives a potted history of the building and some of its works of art (in French, with an English translation written by a native speaker).
• Saint-Louis Church (place Victor Hugo, tramway A, B, buses 3, 13, 33, 34)
• Musée Hébert opened in La Tronche in 1934 in the house of Ernest Hébert, a French painter also director of the French Academy in Rome.
• Museum of French Revolution, +33 4 76 68 07 35. The Musée de la Révolution française (Museum of French Revolution) is a art museum housed in the Château de Vizille, which has a long history of artistic conservation. A little city about 14 km in south of Grenoble. Several busts are faithful representations of Antoine Barnave, Bailly, Mirabeau, Louis XVII, Robespierre, Danton and his wife Antoinette, and General Lafayette. Among his many paintings, it houses the first representation of the French Republic, a small painting painted by Jean-Baptiste Wicar in 1793.
• Musée Champollion. The Museum of Champollion hosted in the family home Champollion. Jean-François Champollion and his brother Jacques-Joseph lived in Grenoble for 17 years. Vif is a little city about 10 km in south of Grenoble. Opening in July 2020.
• The little train of La Mure. A travel with 18 tunnels and a spectacular view on the river Drac and the dam of Monteynard. Saint-Georges-de-Commiers, 17 km from Grenoble. Unfortunately a major rockslide in late 2010 caused the closure of the line. Reopening is foreseen for July 2020.
• Musée Hydrelec in the massif of Oisans, about 45 km in south of Grenoble. Hydro generating station near a big dam (Grand'Maison).
• For more ideas visit the tourism office of Grenoble.

Bastille Hill. An ancient series of fortifications overlooking Grenoble. May be reached by cable car, round trip €8, or by a 40-minute hike. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains from the top. On the Saint-Laurent side, giant stairways are impressive to climb or descend.

Parc Paul Mistral. is a big park in the center of the city. It includes a roller skating rink and people often play street hockey. The park also boasts extensive lawns and quiet tree-lined avenues. At the center stands the tower Perret, built in 1925 for an international exposition about water-power. When illuminated at night with blue lights, it bears a considerable resemblance to both Dr. Who's sonic screwdriver and the Tower of Mordor. For at least 50 years, it has been impossible to go up due to safety problems. After renovations, the tower will reopen to the public in 2022.

Musée de Grenoble, 5, place Lavalette (near the Cathedral, tramway B at stop Notre-Dame, +33 4 76 63 44 10. W-M 10:00-18:30, closed on Dec 25, Jan 1, May 1. The museum is worth seeing for the modern, smart building alone. It houses paintings of the Florentine school, majestic large formats of French, Flemish, Dutch and Spanish schools and also houses a nice collection of modern art; among others, the museum holds four Picassos, a few good Matisses, one Miro, one Kandinsky and one Andy Warhol. Two rooms contain antiquities from ancient Egypt, with particularly beautiful sarcophagi, the city of Grenoble is linked to the story of Champollion and that of Egyptology. The museum also organizes two exhibitions every year. €8, free 1st Sunday of the month.

Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Grenoble, 1 rue Dolomieu, +33 4 76 44 05 35. Tu-F 09:15-12:00 & 13:30-18:00, Sa Su 14:00-18:00, closed Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25. Facilities for the disabled. The museum has some nice collections on the subject of mineralogy and Alpine wildlife, and also houses an aquarium. €5, free 1st Sunday of the month.

Musée Dauphinois, 30, rue Maurice-Gignoux, +33 4 76 85 19 01. W-M: Oct-May 10:00-18:00, Jun-Sep 10:00-19:00, closed 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. This museum is housed in the former convent of Ste-Marie-d'en-Haut, on the side of the Bastille hill. It houses permanent and temporary exhibitions about the people and lifestyle of the historic province of Dauphiné. There are also exhibitions with wider interest as on the solar clocks in 2014, on the links with Japan in 2019. But the visit of the chapel is the main attraction of the museum. Outside the building are pleasant gardens with a nice view over the city. Access by car is difficult and it is best to walk to it by the climb of Chalemont via the Saint-Laurent footbridge. Exhibitions are in both French and English. Free.

Musée De L'Ancien Eveché, 2, rue Très Cloître, +33 4 76 03 15 25. M W-Sa 09:00-18:00, Tu 13:30-18:00, Su 10:00-19:00. Admission is free. The museum is housed in the former bishop's palace on Place Notre Dame. It displays objects and pieces of art narrating the history of the Isère region and its people from Prehistoric times up to the present. Under the museum is an archaeological crypt; the remains of the city's [[Roman Empire|Roman]] walls and a remarkable 4th Century baptistry, discovered during work on tram line B, are not to be missed. Ask for a free audioguide (French or English) at reception.

Museum of Resistance and Deportation, 14 rue Hebert, +33 4 76 42 38 53. Hours vary (check site). History of the extremely active French resistance in the Alps during World War II. Information is in English, French and German. Entry is free.

Musée Archéologique de Grenoble, +33 4 76 44 78 68. Place Saint Laurent. Opened in 1846. It is considered to be a unique archeological site. Over 3000 artifacts and objects have been recovered here..

Museum of the moutain troops, Summit of Bastille Hill (climb the Bastille by foot or cable car, +33 4 76 00 92 25. €3 (€1.50 for students and over 65s, free for under 18s).

St. Roch Cemetery (French: Cimetière Saint-Roch) is the first municipal cemetery in the city of Grenoble, France. Blessed by the bishop of Grenoble Claude Simon on 19 August 1810. It is the largest cemetery in the city with 13 ha, (32.11 acres). It's on rue du Souvenir, alongside the Isère, in the district of Ile Verte. It is the only cemetery intramural city and has 25,000 graves (824 classified as remarkable) over an area 13 hectares. Political leaders, military or artististiques are buried in this cemetery. But the most important tombs are represented by manufacturers of gloves. Sculptors Victor Sappey, Henri Ding, Eustache Bernard, Aimé-Charles Irvoy, Urbain Basset are buried in this cemetery. Many mayors of the city since the French Revolution's are buried in this cemetery. Since Joseph-Marie de Barral, mayor in 1790, to Albert Michallon, mayor from 1959 to 1965. The painters Jules flandrin and Jean Achard are buried in St Roch. The most prestigious monument in Saint Roch cemetery is the chapel of Saint Roch, built in 1826 to replace the old chapel bearing the same name, built in the fifteenth century near a hospital for lepers.

Palace of the Parliament of dauphiné, the courthouse until 2002. (Place Saint Andre). A 15th-century building belonging to the Isère Council. An ongoing renovation project will give this building new lease of life whilst respecting its patrimonial character and adding a modern touch at the same time.

The Cathedral (place Notre-Dame, tramway B) has been extensively restored in recent years. A free tourist guide gives a potted history of the building and some of its works of art (in French, with an English translation written by a native speaker).

Saint-Louis Church (place Victor Hugo, tramway A, B, buses 3, 13, 33, 34)

Musée Hébert opened in La Tronche in 1934 in the house of Ernest Hébert, a French painter also director of the French Academy in Rome.

Museum of French Revolution, +33 4 76 68 07 35. The Musée de la Révolution française (Museum of French Revolution) is a art museum housed in the Château de Vizille, which has a long history of artistic conservation. A little city about 14 km in south of Grenoble. Several busts are faithful representations of Antoine Barnave, Bailly, Mirabeau, Louis XVII, Robespierre, Danton and his wife Antoinette, and General Lafayette. Among his many paintings, it houses the first representation of the French Republic, a small painting painted by Jean-Baptiste Wicar in 1793.

Musée Champollion. The Museum of Champollion hosted in the family home Champollion. Jean-François Champollion and his brother Jacques-Joseph lived in Grenoble for 17 years. Vif is a little city about 10 km in south of Grenoble. Opening in July 2020.

The little train of La Mure. A travel with 18 tunnels and a spectacular view on the river Drac and the dam of Monteynard. Saint-Georges-de-Commiers, 17 km from Grenoble. Unfortunately a major rockslide in late 2010 caused the closure of the line. Reopening is foreseen for July 2020.

Musée Hydrelec in the massif of Oisans, about 45 km in south of Grenoble. Hydro generating station near a big dam (Grand'Maison).

• The cable car, Quai Stéphane Jay (if you're walking, follow the Isère in the direction of the center of the town until you see the cables, you cannot miss them, +33 4 76 33 44 44. Closed for 3 weeks in January. Otherwise open every day, 10:45-18:30 in winter and up to 09:15-00:15 in summer. The cable car is the easiest way to see the town from above, and the trip in the plastic bubbles is impressive. Priced at €5.50 one-way, €8 round trip, with discounts for students and under 15s. Free for under 5s. At the summit (some 260 m above the town) is a 19th-century fortress, La Bastille. When you arrive at the top, you can explore the fortifications, have a meal or light refreshments, follow winding paths further up the mountainside or simply enjoy the view (on a clear day Mont Blanc is visible in the distance). If you take the path (GR9) to the rear of the Bastille, you can walk approx 20-30 mins further up to Mont Jalla to get an even better view, where there is a memorial to the mountain troops who fought in WWII and a monument erected on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Grenoble (1944). You can also walk up to the Bastille via one of several paths or go by car from the city of La Tronche. Paths start from the Fountain of lion on the East side, (this path is called Montée Chalemont) or a park on the West, near the large arch (called Jardin des Dauphins).

• With three mountain ranges on the doorstep, Hiking and climbing are very popular. The place to start is the Maison de la Montagne (3, rue Raoul Blanchard), where you can browse maps and helpful staff (several English-speakers) can help you choose a route according to your level of fitness and the time you have on hand. For short walks around the city, ask for the "Carte des Sentiers Sipavag" (a free hiking map) at the Tourism Office (4, rue de la République) or Maison de la Montagne, close to the Hubert Doubedout tram station. Also look for the "Guides des Balades" at the TAG office (in the same building of the Tourism Office)- a nice add-on to the Sipavag map which lists a number of parks and hikes you can reach with public transportation. The new edition for 2007 includes over 50 different walks, from half-hour strolls to full-day hikes. You will also find suitable maps at any bookshop; the best ones are published by the IGN (National Geographic Institute) and Didier Richard. Without proper maps, the trails can be confusing and you may be lost in the many turns, steps, ups and downs. However, if you are careful to observe and follow the colour codings on trees and at key turnings, then it can still be an enjoyable alternative way of getting up or down the mountain.

• In winter, skiing is a popular activity, which is unsurprising given the historically ski-friendly terrain; Grenoble hosted the Tenth Winter Olympic games in 1968. The nearest ski stations are only 45 min from Grenoble by car. Stations close to Grenoble include Autrans (1000 m up in the Vercors), Chamrousse (1700 m - 2200 m, in Belledonne). Avoid the two last two weeks of December, which are overcrowded at all ski stations and the most expensive of the year. During high season there are also several daily buses to big ski resorts such as Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez (1hr 30min trip). Tickets can be bought at the Gare Routiere and they offer reductions when buying bus tickets and ski passes in combination. If skiing's not your thing but you still fancy a snowy outing, you might like to try snowshoeing- many centres around Grenoble offer half- or full-day excursions, ask at the Maison de la Montagne or the Maison du Tourisme.
• Mountain lakes are a great place to visit during a hot summer day, to swim or just to admire the landscape. For example, the Lacs Robert and Lac Achard are one or two hours hike from Chamrousse. Several paths are available, some suitable for the whole family, others advised for adults only. Also, Annecy- a small, historic city on the edge of a beautiful lake, perfect for swimming- can be reached by train in 1hr 30min (up to €32 return trip). Fishing in lakes and in some rivers is allowed, but (like everywhere else in France) a permit is required. For information about fishing, contact the local fishermen's union (French: Union des pêcheurs à la ligne. 8, rue Ampère, tel. +33 9 50 35 11 73, fax +33 4 76 49 02 17, e-mail: union.pecheurs@wanadoo.fr
• Moucherotte mountain, the hardest (and best) way to see the town from above, for hikers willing to spend nearly a whole day. Go to Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte by car or regional bus (bus 5100), then follow the path to the top (you will start at 1000 m and go to 1900 m). The view of the town is stunning. A lot of people use this path on Sundays in Spring and Summer, so you're unlikely to get lost.
• For more ideas visit the Isere Tourism Board.

The cable car, Quai Stéphane Jay (if you're walking, follow the Isère in the direction of the center of the town until you see the cables, you cannot miss them, +33 4 76 33 44 44. Closed for 3 weeks in January. Otherwise open every day, 10:45-18:30 in winter and up to 09:15-00:15 in summer. The cable car is the easiest way to see the town from above, and the trip in the plastic bubbles is impressive. Priced at €5.50 one-way, €8 round trip, with discounts for students and under 15s. Free for under 5s. At the summit (some 260 m above the town) is a 19th-century fortress, La Bastille. When you arrive at the top, you can explore the fortifications, have a meal or light refreshments, follow winding paths further up the mountainside or simply enjoy the view (on a clear day Mont Blanc is visible in the distance). If you take the path (GR9) to the rear of the Bastille, you can walk approx 20-30 mins further up to Mont Jalla to get an even better view, where there is a memorial to the mountain troops who fought in WWII and a monument erected on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Grenoble (1944). You can also walk up to the Bastille via one of several paths or go by car from the city of La Tronche. Paths start from the Fountain of lion on the East side, (this path is called Montée Chalemont) or a park on the West, near the large arch (called Jardin des Dauphins).

With three mountain ranges on the doorstep, Hiking and climbing are very popular. The place to start is the Maison de la Montagne (3, rue Raoul Blanchard), where you can browse maps and helpful staff (several English-speakers) can help you choose a route according to your level of fitness and the time you have on hand. For short walks around the city, ask for the "Carte des Sentiers Sipavag" (a free hiking map) at the Tourism Office (4, rue de la République) or Maison de la Montagne, close to the Hubert Doubedout tram station. Also look for the "Guides des Balades" at the TAG office (in the same building of the Tourism Office)- a nice add-on to the Sipavag map which lists a number of parks and hikes you can reach with public transportation. The new edition for 2007 includes over 50 different walks, from half-hour strolls to full-day hikes. You will also find suitable maps at any bookshop; the best ones are published by the IGN (National Geographic Institute) and Didier Richard. Without proper maps, the trails can be confusing and you may be lost in the many turns, steps, ups and downs. However, if you are careful to observe and follow the colour codings on trees and at key turnings, then it can still be an enjoyable alternative way of getting up or down the mountain.

In winter, skiing is a popular activity, which is unsurprising given the historically ski-friendly terrain; Grenoble hosted the Tenth Winter Olympic games in 1968. The nearest ski stations are only 45 min from Grenoble by car. Stations close to Grenoble include [[Autrans]] (1000 m up in the [[Vercors]]), Chamrousse (1700 m - 2200 m, in [[Belledonne]]). Avoid the two last two weeks of December, which are overcrowded at all ski stations and the most expensive of the year. During high season there are also several daily buses to big ski resorts such as Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez (1hr 30min trip). Tickets can be bought at the Gare Routiere and they offer reductions when buying bus tickets and ski passes in combination. If skiing's not your thing but you still fancy a snowy outing, you might like to try snowshoeing- many centres around Grenoble offer half- or full-day excursions, ask at the Maison de la Montagne or the Maison du Tourisme.

Mountain lakes are a great place to visit during a hot summer day, to swim or just to admire the landscape. For example, the Lacs Robert and Lac Achard are one or two hours hike from Chamrousse. Several paths are available, some suitable for the whole family, others advised for adults only. Also, [[Annecy]]- a small, historic city on the edge of a beautiful lake, perfect for swimming- can be reached by train in 1hr 30min (up to €32 return trip). Fishing in lakes and in some rivers is allowed, but (like everywhere else in France) a permit is required. For information about fishing, contact the local fishermen's union (French: Union des pêcheurs à la ligne. 8, rue Ampère, tel. +33 9 50 35 11 73, fax +33 4 76 49 02 17, e-mail: union.pecheurs@wanadoo.fr

Moucherotte mountain, the hardest (and best) way to see the town from above, for hikers willing to spend nearly a whole day. Go to Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte by car or regional bus (bus 5100), then follow the path to the top (you will start at 1000 m and go to 1900 m). The view of the town is stunning. A lot of people use this path on Sundays in Spring and Summer, so you're unlikely to get lost.

• If you are looking for a big commercial centre with chain-stores, consider Grand Place (tramway A direction Echirolles). Generally very crowded, especially at weekends.
• For street shopping, stop at Victor Hugo tramway station (tramway A or B). The tramway station is next to Place Grenette, which is the center of the city. This area is largely pedestrianized. Small, winding streets house many boutique-style shops, chain-store outlets, traditional French cafés and all the usual city centre paraphernalia If you want a spa/hammam, you'll have to get out of the city and head off to the outskirts such as Echirolles or Meylan.
• Another shopping center with chains stores is La Caserne De Bonne (tramway C, direction Seyssin- Le Prisme). There are outdoor sports stores (such as Decathlon or Le vieux campeur).
• The markets. There are several daily food markets in the city centre. The most centrally located, are at Sainte-Claire Les Halles (near the Cathedral) which has a covered food hall (housing cheese and butchers' stalls) as well as the outdoor fruit and vegetable market, and Place aux Herbes. Watch out for the grape-stealing pigeons - a great favorite with children but detested by the stall-holders! The best market is probably L'Estacade (6 days per week), under the elevated railway tracks next to Cours Jean Jaures.
• The cinemas, you'll find a few within the city center such as in the pedestrian streets or the multiplex Pathé Chavant. If you want to watch an English/American movie with French subtitles head to La Nef on boulevard Edouard Rey, near Victor Hugo.

If you'd like to have an extensive eatery guide with you on your travels, The Guide du Dahu is probably the best restaurant guide to Grenoble. The work of 20 students of Grenoble business school, it includes 300 pages covering restaurants, bars, culture, sport and nightlife. €2.50 from tabacs and bookshops in the city. The Petit Futé series also offers a Grenoble guide, which has an extensive list of restaurants and other businesses.

You can find many good restaurants in the city center, roughly between the Train Station, Place Saint-André and Place Notre Dame. The St-Laurent neighborhood (on the northern side of the Isère river) has a number of Italian restaurants and pizzerias. There are also a number of restaurants that line the Rue Brocherie and the area surrounding Place aux Herbes. In the winter, try typical Alpine dishes such as fondue, raclette and the legendary tartiflette. La Ferme à Dédé, at 24, rue Barnave, has a menu with many local and regional specialties.

• Cadet Rousselle, 3, rue Millet, +33 4 76 46 02 24. Has an excellent crêpe selection with prices for crêpes salés ranging from €4-9.
• Restaurant Kori Tika, 99, rue Saint Laurent, (+33) 4 76 42 63 04 Located across the Isère, a South American restaurant with main dishes ranging from €8-15.
• Les Tacos de Lyon, 4 rue Brocherie, +33 4 76 03 23 30. While not really related to Mexican tacos, this fast food French interpretation can be interesting. For €5-6, you can enjoy a Cordon Bleu "taco".
• Boulangeries and Patisseries- these little bread and pastry bakeries not only have wonderful tarts and cakes, but they also sell small quiches, panini (grilled Italian sandwiches), and cold sandwiches. Grenoble is the walnut capital of France so look for small cakes (gateaux) with walnut cream, especially during the winter. Other specialties include Chartreuse (a herbal liquor traditionally made by the monks of Grande Chartreuse, a monastery high in the mountains about an hour from Grenoble).

Cadet Rousselle, 3, rue Millet, +33 4 76 46 02 24. Has an excellent crêpe selection with prices for crêpes salés ranging from €4-9.

Restaurant Kori Tika, 99, rue Saint Laurent, (+33) 4 76 42 63 04 Located across the Isère, a South American restaurant with main dishes ranging from €8-15.

Les Tacos de Lyon, 4 rue Brocherie, +33 4 76 03 23 30. While not really related to Mexican tacos, this fast food French interpretation can be interesting. For €5-6, you can enjoy a Cordon Bleu "taco".

• Les Alpages, 4 rue de Strasbourg, +33 4 76 46 32 62. Tu-Sa 06:00-12:30 and 15:30-19:30. In summer they re-open at 16:/9. Not a restaurant, but a world-renowned cheesemongery. Recommended if you want to discover any of their 1200 kinds of cheese, sourced from all over the world. Cheese prices range from grocery store pricing on up.
• La Fondue, 5 rue Brocherie, +33 4 76 15 20 72. Well known in the southeast of France and western Switzerland, fondue is a traditional dish during the wintertime. La Fondue restaurant serves traditional fondue (emmental and gruyère cheese) with mix ins as well as some non-traditional fondues (cheddar, for example). There is a lunch menu for €15.50/person (Feb 2015) that includes basic fondue, salad, wine, and coffee; dinner prices are similar but include less. You need at least 2 people to order fondue.

Les Alpages, 4 rue de Strasbourg, +33 4 76 46 32 62. Tu-Sa 06:00-12:30 and 15:30-19:30. In summer they re-open at 16:/9. Not a restaurant, but a world-renowned cheesemongery. Recommended if you want to discover any of their 1200 kinds of cheese, sourced from all over the world. Cheese prices range from grocery store pricing on up.

La Fondue, 5 rue Brocherie, +33 4 76 15 20 72. Well known in the southeast of France and western Switzerland, fondue is a traditional dish during the wintertime. La Fondue restaurant serves traditional fondue (emmental and gruyère cheese) with mix ins as well as some non-traditional fondues (cheddar, for example). There is a lunch menu for €15.50/person (Feb 2015) that includes basic fondue, salad, wine, and coffee; dinner prices are similar but include less. You need at least 2 people to order fondue.

• Auberge Napoléon, 7 rue Montorge, Grenoble +33 04 76 87 53 64, near the "jardin de ville"
• Restaurant Les Terrasses, Place Déesse Hygie, Uriage-les-Bains : Tél. +33 4 76 89 10 80 ; Fax. +33 4 76 89 04 62 ; (Uriage-les-Bains, a small health resort 10 km from town hall of Grenoble). This is the only local restaurant with two Michelin stars (and prices to match, of course).
• La Madelon, 55 Avenue Alsace-Lorraine, +33 4 76 46 36 90. Elegant yet trendy restaurant close to the train station and business school focusing on regional cuisine in a very relaxed atmosphere with English speaking wait staff. Open lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday.

Auberge Napoléon, 7 rue Montorge, Grenoble +33 04 76 87 53 64, near the "jardin de ville"

Restaurant Les Terrasses, Place Déesse Hygie, Uriage-les-Bains : Tél. +33 4 76 89 10 80 ; Fax. +33 4 76 89 04 62 ; (Uriage-les-Bains, a small health resort 10 km from town hall of Grenoble). This is the only local restaurant with two Michelin stars (and prices to match, of course).

La Madelon, 55 Avenue Alsace-Lorraine, +33 4 76 46 36 90. Elegant yet trendy restaurant close to the train station and business school focusing on regional cuisine in a very relaxed atmosphere with English speaking wait staff. Open lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday.

There are bars and pubs in the downtown area, especially between Place Grenette and Place Notre Dame. Les Frères Berthom, near Place Notre Dame, offers a variety of local brews and a lively ambience. Couche Tard, Bukana, and London Pub cater to Erasmus, international, and American study abroad students.

At Place Saint-André, you will find La table ronde, founded in 1739 as the second oldest café in France to Le Procope in Paris.

• In the nearby city of Voiron (25 km north-west of Grenoble) are the Caves de la Chartreuse (+33 4 76 05 81 77), where the famous liqueur is made by the Carthusian Monks. It is claimed to be the largest liqueur cellar in the world. Free guided tours are provided, with a tasting session in the end. Opening hours are 09:00-11:30 and 14:99-18:30 (closes at 17:30 and weekends from November to April, no lunch break in July and August). See for more information.
• O'Calaghan's Irish Pub, 2 place Berulle, 38000, Grenoble. This is a nice big family pub with a large terrace. One of the best pubs in Grenoble with plenty of Anglophones as well as locals.

In the nearby city of Voiron (25 km north-west of Grenoble) are the Caves de la Chartreuse (+33 4 76 05 81 77), where the famous liqueur is made by the Carthusian Monks. It is claimed to be the largest liqueur cellar in the world. Free guided tours are provided, with a tasting session in the end. Opening hours are 09:00-11:30 and 14:99-18:30 (closes at 17:30 and weekends from November to April, no lunch break in July and August). See for more information.

O'Calaghan's Irish Pub, 2 place Berulle, 38000, Grenoble. This is a nice big family pub with a large terrace. One of the best pubs in Grenoble with plenty of Anglophones as well as locals.

The Drac is a small river and may appear harmless, but the level of water may change quickly, especially when the dam upstream releases water.

Avoid the Villeneuve area at night (the tram stops La Bruyère, Arlequin, and Grand'Place) as well as Village Olympique.

Be aware of pickpockets on the tram and bus lines; though petty theft is not common in Grenoble, it does exist.

• Greece Greece, 9 Rue de la Liberte, +33 447-647-3923.

Greece Greece, 9 Rue de la Liberte, +33 447-647-3923.

• Chartreuse
• Vercors
• Belledonne