Grenoble – the capital of the French Alps is considered to be one of
France’s finest cities. Still relatively undiscovered by us Brits, Grenoble has history, scenery, architecture and cuisine a plenty.
How to get there:
At just 6 hours by high speed train from the centre of London, it’s easy to get to Grenoble for a short break.
Take
Eurostar from London to
Paris or
Lille, then pick up a high speed
TGV direct to
Grenoble. If you travel via Lille, you won’t even need to change stations! Duplex, or double decker, trains run on this route, so you can have a birds eye view of the beautiful French scenery as you speed your way to Grenoble.
What to do:
Situated in the heart of the French Alps,
Grenoble is a great base for alpine sports. In the winter, the nearby mountains offer a playground for skiers and snowboarders, while in the summer, mountain biking, hiking and climbing are popular activities.
If you’re looking for a gentler pastime, you can take the cable car – known locally as Les Bulles - to the Bastille, an ancient series of fortifications dating in part back to the Middle Ages. The Bastille offers the best views of Grenoble and nearby Mont Blanc.
If you visit in March, you can soak up the atmosphere at the Grenoble Jazz Festival. Founded in 1973, the festival plays host to internationally renowned jazz musicians.
The Musée de Grenoble is home to artworks by masters including Rubens and Gaugin, along with modern art, photography and sculpture. Considered one of France’s finest museums, the Musée de Grenoble was originally founded 200 years ago.
Where to stay:
There are a range of hotels and guesthouses in
Grenoble, suitable for all budgets. You can find some recommendations on our website -
click here
For more information on
Grenoble or any of the other cities of the Rhone Alpes region, take a look at
www.rhonealpsbyrail.co.uk