Nicknamed the ‘Capital of the Alps’, Grenoble, within the Auvergne-Rhones-Alpes area of France, makes for a beautiful weekend break.
The usually-overlooked metropolis, inhabitants 450,000, has a spirited previous: it was the place protesters rose in opposition to Louis XVI in 1788, and was a hotbed of the Resistance throughout World Conflict II.
Now Grenoble is an enthralling spot to whereas away a few days between the Isere and Drac rivers.
Grenoble, the ‘Capital of the Alps’, makes for a terrific weekend break
The place to remain
Maison Barbillon
On a aspect avenue close to the station, Maison Barbillon has small trendy rooms and a vibrant and breezy really feel. A free espresso machine within the reception is a plus, as is complimentary afternoon cake. A vinyl file participant can also be supplied with Beatles and Pink Floyd LPs. Doubles from £60 (maisonbarbillon.com).
RockyPop Lodge
This has a contemporary, full of life and vibrant look with a giant, open-plan restaurant and bar that’s residence to desk soccer and retro pc video games. Rooms are slick and comfy, with mustard yellow, gray and cobalt blue decor. If you happen to’re in a rush, the bar snack menu contains £8.50 pizzas. Doubles from £82 (rockypop.com).
Grenoble, which has a inhabitants of 450,000, usually will get ignored
Lodge 1924
With artwork deco design and minimalist rooms that includes huge beds and baths (in all loos), Lodge 1924 is a hideaway between the outdated city and the station. The modern downstairs bar provides cocktails that includes Chartreuse, an area tipple made by monks. Doubles from £86 B&B (1924hotel.com).
OKKO Lodges Grenoble Jardin Hoche
Near the outdated city, this contemporary resort provides comfy, ‘city cocoon’-style rooms with free wifi and Nespresso machines. The outside has an uncommon look – a bit like a tall, skinny slice of cake. Inside, count on a cocktail bar, restaurant, health room and sauna. Doubles from £67 (okkohotels.com).
What to see and do
Experience ‘The Bubbles’
Above, Grenoble’s well-known cable automobile pods, which every carry six passengers
Grenoble’s cable automobile opened in 1934 and was up to date in 1976 with 5 distinctive round pods nicknamed Les Bulles (‘The Bubbles’), every carrying six passengers. They’ve change into a metropolis image, and this enjoyable journey glides as much as the Bastille fortifications. On the high, there’s a restaurant (o2-restaurant.fr) and the Museum of French Mountain Troops (museedestroupesdemontagne.fr). Return tickets £8.
Piece de la Resistance
The Resistance and Deportation Museum tells the story of the robust native Resistance motion throughout World Conflict II, plus the horrific occasions of the Holocaust. Grainy footage characteristic Resistance leaders, a lot of whom had been captured, whereas sections on focus camps are harrowing. (free entry, grenoble-tourisme.com).
Go for a hike or climb
Superb half-hour hikes are available above the cable automobile close to the Bastille – and for these feeling daring there’s a by way of ferrata (climbing route). It’s suited to newbies however ‘might provide you with a little bit of a vertigo feeling’; guided journeys £39 (www.vertical-aventure.com/en).
Piece de la Resistance Viva la Revolution!
Head to the Museum of the French Revolution within the city of Vizille to find out about Grenoble’s spirited previous
Find out about Grenoble’s half within the occasions of the 1780s on the Museum of the French Revolution within the city of Vizille, a 30-minute bus journey south of the centre. The museum is inside a superb 14th-century chateau.
A tipple or two
Get misplaced among the many labyrinthine lanes of the outdated city popping into jolly little bars serving good worth wines (£3.40 a glass) and draft beers (£4.10 for a half litre). Don’t miss the enjoyable Le Tonneau de Diogene, with 24 draught beers and accompanying saucisson/bread boards (£5.60); 6 Place Notre Dame.
Purchase some antiques… and gloves
Grenoble is the previous glove-making capital of France, however now there’s just one artisan left: Gant Lesdiguieres, based 1885, has beautiful leather-based gloves from £77 (ganterie-grenoble.fr). Additionally discover the cluster of metropolis centre vintage outlets.
The place to eat
Le Boeuf au Comptoir
On a nook close to the River Isere, this no-nonsense restaurant serves frogs legs, salads and steaks. Dishes include dauphinoise potatoes, a regional speciality. Rump steak with a blue-cheese or onion sauce is £21.50 (completely cooked). A bottle of excellent Cotes du Rhone can also be £21.50. 17 Avenue Felix Viallet (le-boeuf-au- comptoir.fr).
Le Seize (XVI)
Look no additional for a chic spot for lunch (or dinner), although the lunch menu is particularly interesting; three programs from £19. On my go to, tables had been busy and the cauliflower soup, leg of duck with seasonal greens, dauphinoise potatoes, wine gravy and candy potato puree, adopted by mango eclair, made for a superb meal.
16 Rue de Strasbourg.
Cafe de la Desk Ronde
Dine at Cafe de la Desk Ronde, which has a relaxed and welcoming environment
This is likely one of the oldest eating places in France, courting from 1739. The ambiance is relaxed and welcoming, with banquette seating, swift service and tempting menus. Six oysters, steak and dauphinoise potatoes and a chocolate fondant got here to £29. Thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau, native writer Stendhal and singer Edith Piaf have dined right here.
7 Place St Andre (restaurant-tableronde-grenoble.com)
Le Cafe de la Place Championnet
In an arty neighbourhood, that is nice for espresso or a night beer/cocktail, with its easy picket tables and scuffed wooden ground. A latte or cappuccino is £3.25. Meals will not be provided, however the proprietor permits you to usher in a snack from the patisserie throughout the best way. Cocktails from £6.90.
1 Place Championnet.
Getting there
Wizz Air flies from Luton to Grenoble from £44 return (wizzair.com), Ryanair from Stansted (ryanair.com) and Easyjet from Gatwick (easyjet.com). Airport buses take 40 minutes to the centre from £27.50 return (actibus.com).
Wizz Air flies from Luton to Grenoble from £44 return (wizzair.com)
