'''Grenoble'''[http://www.grenoble-isere-tourisme.com/accueil_eng.htm] is a city of around 158,000 inhabitants (550,000 taking into account the metropolitan area) located in the French Alps. The climate is quite cold in winter, with days of snow almost every year. Summers are known to be hot, as mountains surrounding the town stop any wind. The town is renowned for its scientific research centers, including Minatec and the Synchrotron (nanotechnology and high-brilliance source of X-rays, respectively) and universities. The city hosts a relatively large population of foreign scientists and students (more than in other comparable towns in France). Grenoble is crossed by two rivers, the Drac and the Isere ("the lion and the serpent"), and is surrounded by three mountain chains, the Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne.

Get In

Air

There are two airports near Grenoble:
  • Grenoble Isere International Airport, also known as ''St Geoirs'', [http://www.grenoble-airport.com/-GENERAL-PUBLIC-AREA-.html], about 40 km from Grenoble, or about 35 minutes by coach [http://www.grenoble-airport.com/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=88]. Coaches are available for 12.50? one way/22? return, although only run a few times a day. This is a small airport although flights are more frequent in the ski season.
  • * easyJet [http://www.easyJet.com] and ryanair [http://www.ryanair.com] offer flights To / From Grenoble Isere International Airport.
  • Lyon International airport, also known as ''Saint Exupery'' or ''Satolas'', [http://www.lyon.aeroport.fr/index.php?pageAlias=accueil&lngAlias=en] is farther away, about 100 km (1 h by bus, car or train). Buses [http://www.lyon.aeroport.fr/index.php?pageAlias=bus&lngAlias=en] go hourly to Grenoble. 20? one-way, or 30? return (valid for 2 months) ticket.
  • '''AirSouthwest''' [http://www.airsouthwest.com] offer flights to and from Plymouth, UK.
  • Also, you may consider coming from

  • Geneva Airport [http://www.gva.ch/en/Desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-11/], 157 km from Grenoble, is a usual destination of many flight companies, and therefore the choice of many international students. Generally this is the cheapest route from most major European cities. Grenoble can be reached by car in about 2h. By train (several times daily) it takes about 3 hours; the price ranges from 26? to 44?, depending whether it goes through Lyon. There are also direct buses to Grenoble for 56?. Remember that Geneva is a Swiss city and depending on your country of origin you may need a visa. It is also worth remembering that Switzerland has its own currency (the Swiss Franc); nearly all retail outlets in Geneva accept Euros but change is given in Swiss Francs. European Union citizens should not have problems travelling via Geneva. Geneva Airport also has a "French part" that does not require to enter into Swiss territory if you come from France and your destination flight is to France.
  • The town also has a little aerodrome (landing-strip = 900 m), situated in the city of Le Versoud (8 miles away): [http://www.aeroclubdauphine.asso.fr/html/2_club/lieux/LeVersoud.html]

    Car

    Just follow the highways from/to :

  • A41, Geneva (by Chambery)
  • A48, Lyon
  • A49, Valence
  • A51, Aix-en-Provence (south)
  • Grenoble can by difficult to navigate by car, but once you get there the "Park and Ride" (''parking relais'') system operated by SEMITAG-parking [http://www.semitag.com/index.php?id=197] is a good way of getting around. (see trams and buses)

    Train

    Several high speed trains (TGV) from SNCF [http://www.voyages-sncf.com/] link '''Paris''' to Grenoble directly every day, for a three-hour trip of 640 km. Full price is about 70 Eur for a one-way ticket. Young people and students will be entitled to a 12-25 (douze-vingt-cinq) discount which reduces ticket prices by a few Euros. Those staying for more than a few months and/or planning to travel by train a lot are advised to purchase a 12-25 card (around ?50) which gives considerable additional discounts.

    Hourly trains link Lyon (Part-Dieu station) to Grenoble, from 5:30 am to midnight (5am to 10pm from Grenoble to Lyon). This takes around an hour and a half via the trains regional [http://www.ter-sncf.com/UK/rhone-alpes/default.htm] (TER). Full price is 15 Eur. The train schedule sometimes includes buses. The price is the same, the duration is the same, they start at the same station and arrive at the same point.

    Get Around

    Car

    Avoid rush hour (7-9 am and 5-6 pm) on highways around the town- you are likely to lose around one hour in traffic jams.

    Car club

    [http://alpesautopartage.eileo.org Alpes Autopartage] runs a car club in Grenoble. For a minimum duration of 3 months, and a nominal mothly fee of 12 to 15 euros, you can use any of their 21 cars for as short as 1h to as long as several days. Some cars with winter tires in season, ski racks,...

    Taxis

  • Taxis of Grenoble : Tel. +33 (0)4 76 54 42 54 ; Fax +33 (0)4 76 51 55 66 ;[http://www.taxi-grenoble.fr/]
  • Suburban Taxis : Tel. +33 (0)4 76 54 17 18 ; Fax +33 (0)4 76 54 45 75 ; [http://sptbg.com/]
  • Regional buses

    Lots of regional buses can take you from the ''gare routiere'' (in the town centre, by the train station)to ski stations and various towns in the surrounding countryside. For example, Grenoble to Chamrousse (bus 6010) ski station costs ?2.70. It is better to buy tickets in advance for access to ski stations in high season- if the bus is crowded, you get priority. Tickets are sold at the main bus station and at the tourist information office (French: ''Maison du tourisme'') which is on tram lines A and B (stop: Hubert Dubedout- Maison du Tourisme).

    Information on regional buses VFD [http://www.vfd.fr/] (in French only, but finding buses schedules is easy). Be aware that the winter schedule (''saison neige'') is not the same as for the rest of the year.

    Trams and buses

    Four tram lines cross the town with services every few minutes (less frequent on Sundays) and an extensive bus network operates within the city itself, the suburbs and villages further out. Individual tickets cost around ?1.40, less if bought in lots of 10 or more, and various daily and weekly passes are available. Tickets are valid for one hour of travel across the Semitag network (bus and tram). Tickets can be bought in the bus from the driver, and from machines on the platform for tramways, or at the Maison du Tourisme. You must stamp (''composter'') your ticket for it to be valid- this is done on the platform at the tram stop or on entering a bus.

    Information can be found at SEMITAG [http://www.semitag.com/] and maps at Maps SEMITAG [http://www.sedeplacer-tag.fr/index.php?id=160] (in French).

    Bicycle

    Despite its mountainous surroundings, Grenoble itself is one of the flattest cities in Europe, so cycling is an easy way of getting around. Pleasant recreational cycle routes follow the Drac and Isere rivers. An old bicycle track along the Isere river passes in front of the town centre, and the main boulevards have dedicated cycle lanes. Bicycles are allowed on some smaller streets, but riders often have to use the same lane as buses (for the fearless only!). It is possible to rent bicycles for a day, a week or longer at the railway station and other ''MetroVelo'' offices- around ?5 a day and about 15/20? per month. For more information: metro-velo [http://www.la-metro.org/fr/actualite/metrovelo_1.htm] (French only).

    Disabled Travellers

    The entire tram network and many bus routes have been adapted for wheelchair users. The flatness of the city means it is generally very accessible.

    See

  • The '''Bastille Hill'''. An ancient series of fortifications overlooking Grenoble. May be reached by cable car [http://www.bastille-grenoble.com/], round trip ?6.10.
  • The '''Parc Paul Mistral''' is a big park in the center of the town. It houses a roller skating rink, and people often play street hockey. The park also boasts extensive lawns and quiet tree-lined avenues. At the center stands the tower Perret, built in 1925 for an international exposition about water-power. Illuminated at night with blue lights it bears a considerable resemblance to both Dr. Who's sonic screwdriver and the Tower of Mordor. It is not currently possible to go up due to safety problems.
  • '''Natural History Museum''' [http://www.museum-grenoble.fr/] (''Museum d'histoire naturelle''), 1 rue Dolomieu (tel. (+33) 4 76 44 05 35, fax (+33) 4 76 44 65 99, museum-histoire-naturelle@ville-grenoble.fr). Open MTWTF, 9h30-12h, 13h30-17h30 and SS 14h-18h. Closed December the 25th, January 1st, May 1st. Facilities for the disabled. The museum has some nice collections on the subject of mineralogy and Alpine wildlife, and also houses an aquarium.
  • '''Art Gallery''' [http://www.museedegrenoble.fr/] (French: ''Musee de Grenoble''), 5, place Lavalette (''near the Cathedral, tramway B at stop Notre-Dame'') (tel. (+33) 4 76 63 44 10). Open 6 days a week 10h-18h30 (closed on Tuesdays, December 25th, January 1st, May 1st). The museum is worth seeing for the modern, smart building alone. It also houses a nice collection of modern art; among others, the museum holds four Picassos, one Miro, one Kandinsky and one Andy Warhol.
  • '''Musee Dauphinois''' [http://www.musee-dauphinois.fr/], 30, rue Maurice-Gignoux (tel. (+33) 4 76 85 19 01). Open Wednesday to Monday except 1st January, 1st May and 25th December. Opening times: 10h-18h (October to May), 10h-19h rest of year. Admission is free. This museum is housed in the former convent of Ste-Marie-d'en-Haut, on the side of the Bastille hill. It houses permanent and temporary exhibitions about the people and lifestyle of the historic province of Dauphine. Outside the building are pleasant gardens with a nice view over the city. Exhibitions are in both French and English.
  • '''Musee De L'Ancien Eveche''' [http://www.ancien-eveche-isere.com/], 2, rue Tres Cloitre (tel. (+33) 4 76 03 15 25, fax (+33) 4 76 03 34 95). Open every day from 9h to 18h except Tuesday (13h30 to 18h00) and on Sunday (10h00 to 19h00). Admission is free. The museum is housed in the former bishop's palace at Place Notre Dame. It displays objects and pieces of art narrating the history of the Isere region and its people from Prehistoric times up to the present. Under the museum is an archaeological crypt; the remains of the city's Roman walls and and a remarkable 4th Century baptistry, discovered during work on tram line B, are not to be missed. Ask for a free audioguide (French or English) at reception.
  • '''Museum of Resistance and Deportation''' [http://www.resistance-en-isere.com/], 14 rue Hebert (tel.(+33) 4 76 42 38 53 , fax : (+33) 4 76 42 55 89. History of the French resistance during WWII in the alps.
  • '''Musee Archeologique Saint Laurent''' [http://www.musee-archeologique-grenoble.com/], Place Saint Laurent. First Opened in 1846. It is considered to be a unique archeological site. Over 3000 artifacts and objects have been recovered here. (+33) 4 76 44 78 68 -- closed for works until September 2010 -
  • '''Saint-Louis Church''' (place Victor Hugo, tramway A, B, buses 3, 13, 33, 34)
  • '''Palace of the Parliament of dauphine''', the courthouse until 2002. (Place Saint Andre). A 15th-century building belonging to the Isere Council. An ongoing renovation project will give this building new lease of life whilst respecting its patrimonial character and adding a modern touch at the same time.
  • The '''Cathedral''' (place Notre-Dame, tramway B) has been extensively restored in recent years. A free tourist guide gives a potted history of the building and some of its works of art (in French, with an English translation written by a native speaker.
  • The '''Museum of French Revolution''' [http://www.musee-revolution-francaise.fr/] installed in the castle of Vizille, place Liberation (tel. (+33) 4 76 68 07 35, fax (+33) 4 76 68 08 53). A little city about 14 km in south of Grenoble.
  • The '''little train of La Mure''' [http://www.trainlamure.com/pages/en/6/chemin-de-fer-de-la-mure.html] A travel with 18 tunnels and a spectacular view on the river Drac and the dam of Monteynard. Saint-Georges-de-Commiers, 17 km from Grenoble.
  • '''Musee Hydrelec''' in the massif of Oisans, about 45 km in south of Grenoble. Hydro generating station near a big dam (Grand'Maison). [http://www.musee-hydrelec.fr/] (in French)
  • For more ideas visit the tourism office of Grenoble at: [http://www.grenoble-isere.info/accueil_eng.htm]
  • Do

  • With three mountain ranges on the doorstep, '''Hiking''' and '''climbing''' are very popular. The place to start is the Maison de la Montagne (3, rue Raoul Blanchard), where you can browse maps and helpful staff (several English-speakers) can help you choose a route according to your level of fitness and the time you have on hand. For short walks around the city, ask for the "Carte des Sentiers Sipavag" (a free hiking map) at the Tourism Office (4, rue de la Republique) or Maison de la Montagne [http://www.maison-montagne.com/], close to the Hubert Doubedout tram station. Also look for the "Guides des Balades" at the TAG office (in the same building of the Tourism Office)- a nice add-on to the Sipavag map which lists a number of parks and hikes you can reach with public transportation. The new edition for 2007 includes over 50 different walks, from half-hour strolls to full-day hikes. You will also find suitable maps at any bookshop; the best ones are published by the IGN (National Geographic Institute) and Didier Richard.
  • In winter, '''skiing''' is a popular activity, which is unsurprising given the historically ski-friendly terrain; Grenoble hosted the Tenth Winter Olympic games in 1968. The nearest ski stations are only 45 min from Grenoble by car. Stations close to Grenoble include Autrans (1000 m up in the Vercors), Chamrousse (1700 m - 2200 m, in Belledonne). Avoid the two last two weeks of December, which are overcrowded at all ski stations and the most expensive of the year. During high season there are also several daily buses to big ski resorts such as Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez (1h30 minutes trip). Tickets can be bought at the Gare Routiere and they offer reductions when buying bus tickets and ski passes in combination. If skiing's not your thing but you still fancy a snowy outing, you might like to try snowshoeing- many centres around Grenoble offer half- or full-day excursions, ask at the Maison de la Montagne or the Maison du Tourisme.
  • '''Mountain lakes''' are a great place to visit during a hot summer day, to swim or just to admire the landscape. For example, the Lacs Robert and Lac Achard are one or two hours hike from Chamrousse. Several paths are available, some suitable for the whole family, others advised for adults only. Also, Annecy- a small, historic city on the edge of a beautiful lake, perfect for swimming- can be reached by train in 1h30 (up to 32 EUR return trip). Fishing in lakes and in some rivers is allowed, but (like everywhere else in France) a permit is required. For information about fishing, contact the local fishermen's union (French: ''Union des pecheurs a la ligne''. 8, rue Ampere, Grenoble, tel. (+33) 9 50 35 11 73, fax (+33) 4 76 49 02 17, e-mail: union.pecheurs@wanadoo.fr
  • '''The cable car''' (French: ''telepherique''), Quai Stephane Jay (''if you're walking, follow the Isere in the direction of the center of the town until you see the cables, you cannot miss them''), (+33) 4 76 33 44 44 (''fax: (+33) 4 76 51 61 49, contact@telepherique-grenoble.com''). Closed for 3 weeks in January. Otherwise open every day, 10h45-18h30 in winter and up to 9h15-00h15 in summer. The cable car is the easiest way to see the town from above, and the trip in the plastic bubbles is impressive. At the summit (some 260 m above the town) is a 19th-century fortress, ''La Bastille''. When you arrive at the top, you can explore the fortifications, have a meal or light refreshments, follow winding paths further up the mountainside or simply enjoy the view (on a clear day Mont Blanc is visible in the distance). If you take the path (GR9) to the rear of the Bastille, you can walk approx 20-30 mins further up to Mont Jalla to get an even better view, where there is a memorial to the mountain regiments who fought in WWII and a monument erected on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Grenoble (1944). You can also walk up to the Bastille via one of several paths or go by car from the city of La Tronche. Paths start from the Fountain of lion on the East side, (this path is called ''Montee Chalemont'') or a park on the West, near the large arch (called ''Jardin des Dauphins'').
  • '''Moucherotte''' mountain, the hardest (and best) way to see the town from above, for hikers willing to spend nearly a whole day. Go to Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte by car or regional bus (bus 5100), then follow the path to the top (you will start at 1000 m and go to 1900 m). The view of the town is stunning. A lot of people use this path on Sundays in Spring and Summer, so you're unlikely to get lost.
  • For more ideas visit the isere tourism board at: [http://www.isere-tourisme.fr]
  • Learn

    Grenoble has been a center of academic excellence since the 14th century. The main universities share a large, modern, purpose-built campus in St Martin d'Heres (accessible by tram, lines B,C and D). There are universities for science and technology (Joseph Fourier), Humanities and Social Sciences (Pierre Mendes-France), Languages and Literature (Stendhal) and Political Sciences (Sciences PO). Grenoble also plays host to several ''Grandes Ecoles''- engineering schools in physics, chemistry, electricity, computer science, and a business school. See I.N.P.G. [http://www.inpg.fr/] and U.J.F.- Grenoble [http://www.ujf-grenoble.fr/]

    French language courses are available at Alliance Francaise (engl.) [http://www.alliancefr-grenoble.org/index.php?cPath=132&sort=2a&language=uk].

    The Polygone Scientifique contains the ESRF [http://www.esrf.eu/] light source (a circular building 270 metres wide, very easily visible from the Bastille) and the ILL [http://www.ill.eu/about/] nuclear reactor (the blue windowless concrete pepper-pot near ESRF), as well as an outstation of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory [http://www.embl-grenoble.fr/]; it is a particularly good place to do post-doctoral work in biochemistry. There is also the MINATEC [http://www.minatec.com/] building, micro and nano technologies, visible from the Bastille.

    Buy

  • If you are looking for a big commercial centre with chain-stores etc., consider Grand Place (tramway A direction Echirolles). Generally very crowded, especially at weekends.
  • For more "authentic" shopping, stop at Victor Hugo tramway station (tramway A or B). The tramway station is next to Place Grenette, which is the center of the town. This area is largely pedestrianized. Small, winding streets house many boutique-style shops, chain-store outlets, traditional French cafes and all the usual city centre parephanalia.
  • The markets. There are several daily food markets in the city centre, for example at St Claire Les Halles (near the Cathedral) which has a covered food hall (housing cheese and butchers' stalls) as well as the outdoor fruit and vegetable market. The food is locally produced, cheap and indisputably wonderful. Watch out for the grape-stealing pigeons- a great favorite with children but detested by the stall-holders!
  • Eat

    If you'd like to have an extensive eatery guide with you on your travels, The Guide du Dahu is probably the best restaurant guide to Grenoble. The work of 20 students of the local business school (GEM), it includes 300 pages covering restaurants, bars, culture, sport and nightlife. ?2.50 from tabacs and bookshops in the city.

    You can find many good restaurants in the central part of the town, roughly between the Gare and Place Notre Dame. The St-Laurent neighborhood (on the northern side of the Isere river) has a number of Italian restaurants and pizzerias. In the winter, try typical Alpine dishes such as fondue, raclette and the legendary tartiflette.

    Budget

  • '''Les Alpages''', 5 rue de Strasbourg, tel. (+33) 4 76 46 32 62 (''fax (+33) 4 76 43 12 70''). This is not a restaurant, but a world-renowned cheesemongery. Recommended if you want to discover any of their 1200 kinds of cheese, sourced from all over the world.
  • '''La Marie Morgane''', 3 rue Frederic Taulier, tel (+33) 4 38 37 03 74. This restaurant serves traditional crepes from the Brittany region. Both savory and sweet crepes are served, with a plethora of toppings on offer. The restaurant also serves traditional cider. Not particularly regional, but very homey and the next-best thing if you're not actually going to Britanny.
  • '''La Fondue''', 5 rue Brocherie, tel (+33) 4 76 15 20 72. Well known in the southeast of France and western Switzerland, fondue is a traditional dish during the wintertime. La Fondue restaurant serves traditional fondue (emmental and gruyere cheese) with mix ins as well as some non-traditional fondues (cheddar, for example).
  • '''A Confesse''', 1 Rue Victor Sappey, tel +33 4 76 54 11 60. Great little restaurant serving crepes and fondue in a unique setting, on the north side of the river. Enter through the confessional.
  • Many Italian pizza restaurants are located on the north side of the Isere river. Quite cheap, good, filling food popular with students. Just follow your nose to the pie of your choice!
  • Boulangeries and Patisseries- these little bread and pastry bakeries not only have wonderful tarts and cakes, but they also sell small quiches, panini (grilled Italian sandwiches), and cold sandwiches. Grenoble is the walnut capital of France so look for small cakes (gateaux) with walnut cream, especially during the winter. Other specialties include Chartreuse (a herbal liquor traditionally made by the monks of Grande Chartreuse, a monastery high in the mountains about an hour from Grenoble).
  • '''Punjabi Dhaba''' 11 r Denfert Rochereau. Phone 04.76.26.18.75 close to the Gare. Thought by many to be the best Indian restaurant in Grenoble, for when you need a break from Cheese and Crepes. If you are lucky, you will be able to meet with some of the Indian Folks living in Grenoble as well.
  • Splurge

  • '''Auberge Napoleon''', 7 rue Montorge , Grenoble Tel. 04 76 87 53 64 , near the "jardin de ville"
  • '''Restaurant Les terrasses''', Place Deesse Hygie , Uriage-les-Bains : Tel. (33) 4 76 89 10 80 ; Fax. (33) 4 76 89 04 62 ; [http://www.grand-hotel-uriage.com] (Uriage-les-Bains, a small health resort 10 km from town hall of Grenoble)
  • Drink

    There are a number of bars and pubs located in the downtown area, especially between Place Grenette and Place Notre Dame. Just take a walk and sit where you feel like.

  • In the nearby city of Voiron (25 km north-west of Grenoble) are the '''Caves de la Chartreuse''' (tel. (33) 4 76 05 81 77), where the famous liqueur is made by the Carthusian Monks. It is claimed to be the largest liqueur cellar in the world. Free guided tours are provided, with a tasting session in the end. Opening hours are 9h-11h30 and 14h-18h30 (closes at 17h30 and weekends from November to April, no lunch break in July and August). See [http://www.chartreuse.fr] for more information.
  • Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Camping Les 3 Pucelles''', Tel: (33) 4.76.96.45.73, [http://www.camping-trois-pucelles.com/index_gb.html] - For those who like to pitch a tent and pack out everything they've packed in.
  • '''Tulip Inn Hotel D'Angleterre''', 5 Place Victor Hugo. With rates ?59 and up, this hotel is a great budget option in the center of the city.
  • Mid-range

    '''The large chain hotels, such as the Ibis and Mercure, can generally be relied on for comfort and cleanliness. Nightly prices start around ?75 in low seasons, and can climb to over ?200 during summer.'''

  • ''' Hotel Ibis Centre''', 5 rue de Miribel, Les Trois Dauphins, Place Felix Poulat, (+33) 4 76 47 48 49, [http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/ibi/0612/fiche_hotel.shtml].
  • ''' Hotel Ibis Gare''', 27 Quai Claude Bernard, (+33) 4 76 86 68 68, [http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/ibi/2737/fiche_hotel.shtml].
  • ''' Hotel Ibis Grenoble universite''', rue de la Condamine - Gieres, (+33) 4 76 44 00 44, [http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/ibi/0945/fiche_hotel.shtml].
  • ''' Hotel Mercure Centre Alpotel''', 12, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, (+33) 4 76 87 88 41, [http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/mer/0652/fiche_hotel.shtml].
  • ''' Hotel Mercure Grenoble President''', 11, rue General Mangin, (+33) 4 76 56 26 56, [http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/mer/2947/fiche_hotel.shtml].
  • '''Hotel Europole''' , 29 rue Pierre Semard, (+33) 4 76 49 51 52 [http://www.hoteleuropole.com] - a modern, comfortable space with WiFi available and good rates. Central location.
  • '''Hotel Suisse et Bordeaux''' , 6 place de la gare (+33) 4 76 47 55 87 [http://www.hotelsuisse-bordeaux.com] - central location, good standard of service and comfort, and moderate prices. Great if you just want a nice place to rest.
  • '''Hotel Bastille''' , 25 avenue Felix Viallet, (+33) 4 76 43 10 27 [http://www.hotel-bastille.fr] - very decent prices, lovely views of the city, good service and comfortable rooms.
  • Splurge

  • '''Park Hotel''', [http://www.park-hotel-grenoble.fr/anglais/hotel-france.htm], 10, Place Paul Mistral: Tel. +33 8 20 13 10 20 - Deluxe hotel, renowned for its professional service and old-fashioned charm. Located near a park with a path for jogging/biking. The well-regarded restaurant serves food all day until midnight.
  • '''Le Grand Hotel''', [http://www.grand-hotel-uriage.com] , Place Deesse Hygie ; Uriage-les-Bains : Tel. (+33) 4 76 89 10 80 ; Fax. (+33) 4 76 89 04 62 ; (Uriage les Bains, a small health resort 10 km from Grenoble) - Excellent location with all modern comforts, if lacking a bit of charm. Attentive staff and a calm, quiet lobby with sporadic live piano music.
  • Stay safe

    The Drac is a small river and may appear harmless, as water doesn't usually cover the whole bed. But the level of water may change quickly, especially when the dam upstream releases water. Be careful: six children aged eight and their teacher died in December 1995 when they were walking on the river-bed and the water rose suddenly.

    Get Out

  • Chartreuse
  • Vercors
  • Belledonne