I remember seeing a photo of Grenoble on the Windows Edge homepage. It showed the Isère River winding through the city, with its signature colorful cable cars in the background. That image caught my attention, but I already knew Grenoble for a more personal reason—my other half had gone to school there.
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| Strong river currents from melting Alpine snow |
But did you know that Grenoble hosted the 1968 Winter Olympics? Probably only winter sports enthusiasts—and those old enough to remember—would know that! The Games were held in February 1968, with events taking place not only in Grenoble but also in several surrounding mountain resorts.
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| The 1968 Olympic cauldron |
But there’s much more to this beautiful Alpine city than its Olympic history. Known as the “Capital of the Alps,” Grenoble is surrounded by three spectacular mountain ranges: the Vercors, rising to 7,680 feet; the Chartreuse, reaching 6,831 feet; and Belledonne, with peaks up to 9,767 feet. The result is a fascinating mix of dramatic mountain scenery, history and culture.
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| We took the téléphérique to the Bastille, a popular attraction |
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| Spectacular panoramic views of Grenoble |
While this was my first visit to Grenoble, it was a trip down memory lane for my other half. He spent three years of high school here, so walking through the city brought back plenty of memories.
His old school has since been demolished, but the ice rink at the Palais des Sports, where he used to skate, is still standing. It appeared to be closed the day we visited, but from what we found online, it still hosts sporting events and concerts. He and his cousin also spent many a day at the library, though it was closed early when we stopped by.
Even so, it was special to wander through the city, hearing his stories and seeing the places that shaped his youth.
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| I remember it was somewhere along this street ... |
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| Palais des Sport |
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| Library |
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| Grenoble Museum |
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| Pretty flowers at Parc Paul Mistral |
On our last day, we made a quick hike up to the Bastille, but only got halfway before the rain started.
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| So close yet so far |
We had some of our best meals in Grenoble. Across the street from our apartment hotel was a charming little brasserie serving traditional French fare at reasonable prices, from escargots, foie gras, and ravioles gratinées to rich, tender duck confit. There were also a few amusing reminders that even the little things come at a price in France—want ketchup with your fries? Be prepared to pay €0.70 for it. The same goes for dipping sauce for McDonald’s McNuggets. Truth be told, we went there because they usually have clean restrooms, and they’re free—unlike the ones at train stations, where you’ll pay €1.
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| Duck leg confit |
Pizza was also incredibly popular in Grenoble, and the ones we tried were wonderfully sumptuous.
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| Many restaurants lining the Isère River serve pizzas |
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| pizza for dinner |
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| Half pizza, half salad for lunch |
Of course, no French meal would be complete without dessert, and we couldn’t resist finishing ours with a delicious crème brûlée and a cup of coffee.
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| Delicious crème brûlée and coffee |
When we told friends and family that we were planning to visit Grenoble, we were warned that the city had gone downhill and that crime was a serious concern. Thankfully, we experienced no problems during our stay, although we were struck by the amount of graffiti throughout the city. In the evenings, some areas felt unusually quiet and deserted, and we would not have felt entirely comfortable wandering around them.
Despite these reservations, Grenoble gave us plenty of wonderful memories. Set against a spectacular Alpine backdrop, the city has a unique charm, with delicious food, inviting cafés, and excellent restaurants. Ultimately, the beautiful surroundings and enjoyable experiences made it a memorable stop on our journey.
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