Three mountain chains encircle Grenoble plus, ironically, it's France's flattest city. This means that hiking, climbing, and biking opportunities abound. They say one of the best things about Grenoble is its surroundings. If you've done the museums, have shopped til you dropped, and need to stretch your legs a bit, go explore the Chartreuse, Vercors, or Belledonne mountains. You can make it as easy or as adventurous as you like.
The Berges de l'Isère offer a well-maintained promenade for cyclists, walkers, and roller-bladers...
An interesting memorial above the city--many locals don't even know about this place...
Charmant Som
A great hike from spring to fall, with a view of the secluded Chartreuse monastery from the summit...
A sprawling outdoor park with enough green space for the whole city...
Quai de France
A rare rock climbing site right in the city, but you'll need some experience before tackling this one...
Lumbin-St Hilaire landing area
This paragliding school just 30 minutes from Grenoble offers complete gliding lessons as well as beginner flights with a certified instructor. See Grenoble from a whole new perspective—the air...
1 Place de la Gare
Renting a bike can be a great way to see Grenoble--it's one of France's flattest cities...
Place de Gordes
A popular park for locals of all ages, but especially students and families with small children...
Quai Stéphane Jay
This 18th-century fortress symbolizes Grenoble and is a must-see site for visitors to the city...
Place Victor Hugo, 38000 Grenoble, France
19 Place Sainte-Claire
Abandon the hypermarkets and do your grocery shopping here. The Halles Sainte Claire is Grenoble's best place for traditional market shopping with quality products, friendly vendors, and plenty of atmosphere...
30 rue Maurice-Gignoux
The Musée Dauphinois, housed in a 17th century convent, presents Alpine life from an anthropological and ethnological point of view. Think of it as a crash course in mountain life...
9 Place Verdun
Grenoble's old library and museum, that is worth a quick peek...
2 Rue Très-Cloîtres
Go under the Place Notre Dame to discover the foundations of Grenoble and into the museum to learn about its history...
Place Saint Bruno
This lively market is where you will find everything from food to jewelry to clothes and tea sets. The key word here is dig, dig, dig...
Site Bouchayer-Viallet, 155 cours Berriat
Le Magasin, National Center for Contemporary Art, presents temporary exhibits by renowned contemporary artists. Many exhibits are created on site, taking advantage of the vast former industrial space...
5 place de Lavalette
Thanks to its ancient and 20th century art collections, the Musée de Grenoble is considered one of Europe's most prestigious. Art lovers should not miss this one...
12 rue des arts
An often-overlooked gem that delights kids and adults alike...