This page should give you an initial idea on what to do in Grenoble.
Museums
A few of the most famous museums in Grenoble are
- The Musée de Grenoble is an art museum that hosts a wide collection of paintings & sculptures from medival to contemporary times. The large-size paintings of nearby alpine valleys and masterpieces by Claude Monet are a must-see! Entry is free of charge.
- The Museum of the old Bishophouse (Musée de l’Ancien Évêché) is an archeological museum installed in the former bishop’s residence. In addition, it hosts exibitions about local heritage.
- The Archeological Museum of St-Laurent lets you discover the different layers that make up the present-day site, from pre-historic settlement and the earliest crypt to the 19th century church. Entry is free of charge.
- The Musée dauphinois is located in the old monastery below the Bastille and its multiple exhibitions are devoted to local alpine history: life in the valleys in pre-industrial times, the rise of tourism and the industrial heritage of the region.
- If you prefer to combine your visit with a hike, check out the exhibitions in the Saint-Eynard Fortress to the northeast or the Comboire Fortress to the south. Make sure to check the respective opening hours of the exhibitions, otherwise, just enjoy the view you will have over the city!
« Chartreuse » is a word that you will come across a lot, and it means so many things to the locals:
- First, there was the Chartreuse monastery, established in the 11th century as the first of its order and still occupied by the monks today. While the monastery is not accesible to the public, you can visit the small museum nearby.
- The name of the Chartreuse mountain range to the north of Grenoble takes its name from the monastery.
- For centuries, the monks have produced a high-percentage liqour, green or yellow in color and produced after a secret recipe of local herbs. The drink has since become emblematic of the region and a source of local pride. If you are interested, you can visit the cellars in Voiron including a tasting.
Bars
Grenoble is a student city with lots of bars and nightlife. Bars can get very crowded in the evening so you need to know where you’re going to find a place to sit. You should probably discover them yourself to see what you like but here are a few good ones to get you started:
O’callaghan Irish Pub : 1 Place de Berulle One of the most popular in Grenoble. They make their own beer!
La Bobine : 42 Boulevard Clemenceau Cosy athmospere inside the park, with nice music
Harper’s House : 2 Rue Aguste Gaché More than 30 draft beers, best bartenders. Check out Paix Dieu!
Le Hasard : 22 Rue Barnave A lot of pitchers, perfect to share with friends. Check out Chartreusito!
Pub des copains : 3 Rue Madelaine Similar to O’Callaghan but less crowded
Le Jules Verne : 5 Rue Montorge Best shots in Grenoble