Grenoble

This vibrant, modern city is located on two rivers, the Isère and the Drac, and is surrounded by the Alps, in specific the Dauphiné region. This region is famous for offering winter sports possibilities to skiers of all abilities, because it has both gentle slopes and wild off-piste skiing areas. Cross-country skiers also have a wide range of options open to them, as there are many kilometres of track available. More than 150 ski resorts are located within 1.5 hours by car from Grenoble, so this city really is the gateway to the Alps!

Three major ski regions are within easy reach: Isère, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie. In Isère we find Les Deux Alpes (77 kms from Grenoble), a magnificent ski resort catering for skiers of all abilities. Many of the ski slopes are situated on the glacier, which is worth a trip on its own merits. Beginner slopes can be found high up on the glacier, with the most difficult black runs lower down. Also in this region is L’Alpe d’Huez, a modern, purpose-built resort close to Grenoble (77 kms). The ski area here stretches over 230 kms, has 84 lifts, and caters for all levels. It has some superb off-piste facilities available for the more adventurous and experienced skier.

Savoie has famous resorts like La Plagne (great for beginners), les Arcs (challenging runs for experienced skiers), Val Thorens (fantastic slopes for intermediate skiers and snow-boarders), and Méribel (all under 160 kms from Grenoble), and the Haute-Savoie offers great resorts such as Les Gets, Morzine, and Chamonix. Chamonix is the only truly flexible ski resort, which means you can arrive and leave whenever suits you – you are not bound to holidays from Saturday to Saturday.

Grenoble has an important microelectronic and nuclear research centre, which attracts scientists from all over the world, and giving rise to the comparison with Silicon Valley. Many major international companies have settled in the city, making it the economic focal point of the region. The city also has four renowned universities, which explains why this pretty town has a reputation for being the intellectual capital of the Alps.

Grenoble is a charming town with sites well worth a visit. The Sacré Coeur basilica is an imposing building which in recent years has had its purpose reinvented. The religious painter Marie Adomi Israël has decorated the walls within the basilica with enormous, bright paintings.

The Lycée Stendhal is home to an impressive fresco; the Horloge Solaire – a sun dial. The painting covers 100 sq mtrs of the main stairwell. It was painted in 1673 by Father Bonfa and his pupils, when the Lycée was a Jesuit college. It has recently been extensively restored, and still tells the time completely accurately today.

The Fort de la Bastille overlooks the river Isère, and gives fantastic views over the city and its surroundings – on a clear day even Mont Blanc is visible in the distance. The fort was built in the 16th century to defend the northern approaches to the city, and was expanded in the 19th century. The Bastille boasts a partially underground defence system, built in the early to mid 19th century. In 1934 the fort gained the first city-centre cable car system in Europe to take visitors up to the fort and give them a fantastic view of the fort’s surroundings at the same time. More active travellers can climb to the top via various trails.

Grenoble’s most famous citizen, the writer Stendhal, was born here in 1783. The Musée de Stendhal chronicles his life and works, and the tourist office offers an interesting tour of Grenoble and its surrounding villages tracing Stendhal and the places that inspired him to write some of his best work.

Hotels

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Airport information

easyJet flies into Grenoble Airport.

By car

Leave Grenoble via highway A48 heading towards Lyon, Voiron, and Grenoble Airport. Take the exit marked "Rives / Grenoble Airport" and then follow the signs to the airport.

By coach

A scheduled bus service connects Grenoble airport with the city centre (train station). To find information on up-to-date timetabels, visit www.grenoble-airport.com

By taxi

Taxis are available outside the airport terminal. The trip into town takes approximately 30 minutes, and costs around 70 EUR.

Whether travelling alone or as part of a group, going skiing or a city break, book your door-to-door transfers in advance with HolidayTaxis. Both shared shuttle and private transfers are available to an extensive range of destinations.