Grenoble Car Hire

Guide to Grenoble

Geography

Grenoble is a part of southeastern France’s Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. Three mountain ranges surround the city: Chartreuse, Vercors, and Belledonne. The rivers Drac (‘lion’) and Isere (‘serpent’) pass within the city limits.

Climate in Grenoble

Summers (June-August) are humid, while winters (December-February) are considerably cold. Rainfall is heaviest in August. If you don’t mind the heat, visit in summer because it brings in fewer tourists than the rest of the year and so flights and accommodations tend to be a lot cheaper.

Culture

During the latter days of the Roman republic, Grenoble was a Gallic village inhabited by the Allobroges. It was conquered before Caesar’s time, and after Rome collapsed, ended up in the hands of the Burgundians. France acquired the city in 1349.

Things to do in Grenoble

Learn about the Grenoble Bastille

The most popular monument around Grenoble is the Bastille, a fortress and prison founded sometime during the Middle Ages. Take a ride on the Grenoble-Bastille cable car to see the building, which offers magnificent views of the city below. After you finish exploring the fortifications, head to the Jardins des Dauphins, a garden built in 1785, for a breath of nature. Discover Grenoble’s Gallo-Roman heritage at the Grenoble Archaeological Museum, which stands on the site of an ancient necropolis.

Visit the local museums

Talking of museums – Grenoble has many more! For example, the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de l'Isère is dedicated to the French Resistance, which mounted opposition to the Nazis during the Second World War. This building opened to the public in 1963 and highlights stories of deportation, forced labour and government capitulation during the war. At the Musée de Grenoble, you can look at over 1500 artworks by a wide range of artists – from Picasso to Andy Warhol. The gallery also has pieces from ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt.

Go on a hike in the picturesque countryside

The Grenoble region is full of beautiful mountains, valleys, and forests. While here, do follow some of the local wilderness trails. La Pinea, Charmant Som and Col de L’arc are all good hiking destinations. If you visit in winter, you can ski at Autrans, Chamrouse, or 7 Laux.

Eating out in Grenoble

Grenoble is proud to be home to France’s second oldest restaurant, Cafe de la Table Ronde. Do try the daily catch of fish (le poisson du jour) here. For homely Savoy and Dauphine flavours, try Restaurant La Ferme à Dédé, which makes great salads. Zakhang specialises in Asian dishes like onigiri (rice balls) and tofu. Taste history – and pan-fried scallops – at Auberge Napoleon, said to have been visited in 1815 by Napoleon himself.

Grenoble Transport

Airport

The nearest airport is the Grenoble Isere Airport, 40 km away from the city centre. It’s quite small though, so if you can’t find a flight to it, fly to Lyon, 100 km from Grenoble. Buses to the city are available from both airports.

Getting around

While in Grenoble, use the local trams and buses to get around cheaply. Tourists can buy daily passes at information centres. Many visitors to Grenoble also choose to hire a car for enhanced comfort and flexibility. 7 seater and 9 seater vans are especially a popular category among those travelling in large groups.