Grenoble is a city in Isére, France, and is a fantastic place to spend 2 or more days exploring. This 2,000-year-old city is simply brimming with history, reflected in its archaeological sites, museums, and food. If adventure is your thing, you can enjoy endless activities in the surrounding mountains and along the rivers.
Best Things to Do in Grenoble
If you plan on visiting Grenoble for a short break, this list of the best things to do will help. You can see the Bastille Fortress and Grenoble cable car, Musée de Grenoble, Saint-Laurent Archaeological Museum, and the old town. There are also suggestions on the type of French cuisine to try, where to eat, and places to drink over the 2 days.
I have assumed that you have 1 or 2 days in Grenoble and want to see the main sites. The itinerary is flexible, so you can change things or add or remove anything. In addition, I have also included some amazing suggestions, the best area to stay in, and how to get around Grenoble on your short break.
Where is Grenoble?
Grenoble is located at the foot of the French Alps in southeastern France, where the Drac River joins the Isère River. It is the capital of the department of Isère in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Due to its distance to the ski resorts within France, Grenoble is known as the capital of the French Alps. Some of these renowned ski resorts are Arc 1600, Sainte Foy Tarentaise, Tignes, Vauany, and Oz Ski Resort
Lyon is only 112 km away, and Geneva is just 143 km away. Both major cities have good connections to Grenoble.
Getting around Grenoble
Grenoble City, including the suburbs, is quite big and spread out. However, the city and the old town, where most of the main attractions are located, are small. This means getting around Grenoble in a day or on the weekend is easily doable on foot. If you don’t want to walk, public transport is easy; you can buy a day ticket or take a single ride.
One day in Grenoble
1. La Bastille Fortress
The number one thing to do in Grenoble, even if you are only there for a day, is to visit the Bastille Fortress. Perched on Mount Rachais, overlooking the city, this century-old fortress dates back to the Middle Ages. In the 1800s, it was used to defend France against invasions from its then-rival, the Duchy of Savoy. Today, together with the cable car to the Bastille, it is one of Grenoble’s most popular tourist attractions.
There’s plenty to do, from exploring the old Mandarin Caves beneath the fort to visiting the military museum. For the more adventurous, you have the recreation park Acrobastille, where you can zip line from the top of the Fortress. You also have two restaurants and a snack bar.
Bastille is best known for its spectacular 360-degree views of the city’s rugged mountain ranges. To the north lies the Chartreuse, to the south and west the Vercors, and to the east the Belledonne range. On days of good visibility, you can see Mont Blanc. The best spot for taking pictures of these views is from the geologist terrace or the Vauban belvedere. Make sure to take your zoom lens for your mirrorless camera or smartphone.
- It is free to walk around the La Bastille Fortress if you don’t catch the cable car.
Vauban belvedere Bastille Fortress Grenoble France
2. Take a ride on the Grenoble-Bastille cable car
The clear bubble-shaped Grenoble cable car, which opened in 1934, is as famous as the Bastille fortress. It was the first urban cable car in the world. The ride takes only five minutes and takes you to an elevation of 263 meters.
The bubbles offer a wonderful vantage point, giving you views of the Isere River, the forest, and the city of Grenoble below. Then, as you get higher, you are presented with jaw-dropping views of the mountain ranges in the far distance. I found it best to use your GoPro to capture pictures on cable cars.
Top Tip
If you don’t want to catch the cable car to the Bastille, you can also walk or bike up the marked path.
Grenoble-Bastille cable car Additional Information
- Price per person: Adult 9€ round trip or 6€ one way. Children 4.80€ round trip or 3.4€ one way. Under 5 years are Free
- Dogs are allowed on the cable car
- Address: Quai Stéphane Jay, 38000 Grenoble, France
Bastille Grenoble Cable Car Isere France
3. Museum of Grenoble (Musée de Grenoble)
Next head to the Museum of Grenoble (or Musée de Grenoble in French), located on the Isére River and only a 5-8 minute walk from Bastille Grenoble cable car. This stylish modern building is one of Frances’s leading art museums and is worth a visit. The Museum of Grenoble houses collections of early, modern, and contemporary art, as well as antiquities.
The collection includes works by many 20th-century masters, including Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet. There is also a significant section of rare finds of ancient artefacts from the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilisations, which are interesting to see.
Museum of Grenoble Additional Information
- Duration: 1- 1 and a half hrs
- Price per person: 8€ reduced fee: 5€ Season ticket: 18€
- Free admission: under 26s, and the first Sunday of every month
- Audioguide: 2€
- Address: 5, place de Lavalette 38010 Grenoble cedex 1
4. Saint-Laurent Archaeological Museum of Grenoble
Next, make your way to Musée archéologique Saint-Laurent, located in one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Grenoble. It is only 15 minutes from the Museum of Grenoble, but the walk is pleasant, especially through the Saint-Laurent area. Stop on the bridge crossing the Isére River to get some amazing pictures.
Musée archéologique Saint Laurent has a history that dates back 2000 years. The structure was among France’s first to be classified as a Historic Monument. It is a great example of Grenoble’s constant evolution of architecture and burial practices. The museum is housed inside an old parish church, with the newer section protected by a glass and steel canopy.
Most of the artefacts exhibited here were excavated from the museum’s site. Walkways have been specially built to allow visitors to view these artefacts and the catacombs where they were initially found. The platform inside the church is impressive, too, as it overlooks the different buildings that have succeeded each other with an underground crypt. On the roof, you can see the swastikas painted in 1910 up close.
By far, Musée archéologique Saint-Laurent was a historical highlight for me while in Grenoble for 2 days. It is an interesting and unique way to educate visitors about the city’s history. It is also one of the top free things to do in Grenoble.
Musée archéologique Saint Laurent Additional Information
- Open: daily from 10 am – 6 pm, except Tuesdays when it is closed
- Entry is Free
- Duration: 1-1.5hrs
- Address: Pl. Saint-Laurent, 38000 Grenoble, France
Saint-Laurent Archaeological Museum
Things to do if you have 2 days in Grenoble
5. Spend half a day wandering around Grenoble’s old town
Spend at least one of your 2 days wandering around the cobbled streets of the old town of Grenoble. It is known as the heart of the city and home to its marketplaces and squares. The old town contains numerous buildings reflecting its 2,000 years of history and has acted as a meeting place for centuries.
There are round medallions embedded in the streets, showing the bounders of where the original city walls once stood. The old town contains historical houses, Roman walls, and beautiful churches. It also has market stalls, cafes/restaurants, and specialist shops like Le Comptoir de Mathilde that sell beautiful chocolates.
6. Stroll through Place Grenette
Start your day strolling through Place Grenette, Main Square, and the market. It is one of the best times to visit Grenoble’s old town because it is buzzing with local activities. Place Grenette has been used for grain and animal markets since the 17th century, and it remains so today. The Place aux Herbes farmers’ market is held here every morning except Mondays.
You can get everything from fresh fruit to cheeses. It is a great spot to grab snacks for your day of exploring Grenoble’s sites. Apart from the market, Place Grenette’s historical houses are filled with cafés and restaurants offering outdoor seating to take in the atmosphere. In the centre of the square, you will see the stunning “Le Château d’Eau Lavalette”. A fountain depicting winged cherubs and dolphins, carved by sculptor Victor Sappey. It is worth a look, even if you stop for a few minutes to take pictures.
Le Comptoir de Mathilde – What to see in the old town of Grenoble
7. Les Halles Sainte-Claire
Another great local market and one of the top things I do in Grenoble is visit Les Halles Saint Claire. Built in 1874, this covered indoor food market is filled with various local French delicacies and bistros (Bistrot in French). Outside the building is another local fruit and vegetable market.
The stalls had a great selection of patisserie, seafood, meat, vegetables, cheeses, pastas, and wine. Les Halles Saint Claire is a great spot to pick up local cuisine like ravioles or Saint-Marcellin cheese. I bought one of my favourite cheeses here, ‘cancoillotte’, from Laiterie Gilbert Deli. For other local produce, I suggest trying gratin dauphinoise, bleu de Vercors-Sassenage cheese, and walnuts of Grenoble.
Les Halles Saint Clair Additional Information
- Open every day, except Mondays
- Address: 19 Pl. Sainte-Claire, 38000 Grenoble, France
6. Visit the last handmade glove-maker of Grenoble
If you love traditions and shopping, visit Granterie Lesdiguiere’s glove shop. A family-run business is headed by Jean Strazzeri, the last known handmade glove maker in Grenoble.
Jean has been hand-making leather gloves with his shears for more than half a century, a dying art. These gloves are so renowned and beautifully made that even the Queen of England has a pair. I tried on a pair, and they felt so comfortable and soft.
Whether you buy a pair of gloves or not, it is a nice place to visit, even just to look around. Address: 5 rue Raoul Blanchard 38000 Grenoble
Jean Strazzeri Granterie Lesdiguieres glove shop Grenoble
Gastronomy in Grenoble
Food is a big part of Grenoble life, and the city is beaming with amazing eateries. The many restaurants and the variety of choices on offer blew me away. You have places like Jeanette, a restaurant that only serves organic foods from France and is run by two female chefs. To La Chapelle, an infused Asian restaurant located inside a converted 19th-century Chapel.
Some French cuisine to try in the city is Bleu du Vercors-Sassenage, a soft and mild cheese made in the western parts of Grenoble. Or Ravioles du Royans, wheat ravioli filled with cheese and chopped parsley from the Italian influence. Walnuts are also considered local cuisine, as the countryside around the city produces 15,000 tons a year.
Here are a couple more suggestions for restaurants in Grenoble where I ate.
7. Eat the set menu with paired wines at Le Rousseau
Le Rousseau is a small, popular local restaurant in the old town. It serves traditional French Haute cuisines that change seasonally with local products. The food is cleverly created and paired with a great selection of wines.
The restaurant has such a good reputation that it is part of the Michelin Guide for Grenoble. You can select from a three-course or a 5-course meal and add on pairing wines. Le Rousseau was my introduction to French gastronomy, and it didn’t disappoint. It was worth a visit. Address: 3, rue Jean-Jacques-Rousseau Grenoble 38000
Please note that the restaurant is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Colourful food at Le Rousseau restaurant – Gastronomy in Grenoble
8. Eat at a Michelin Star restaurant, Fantin Latour
If you want to splurge a little, I highly recommend the award-winning 1-Michelin-Star restaurant, Fantin Latour. The restaurant is run by Chef Stephane Froidevaux, who gets inspiration for his food from nature and the mountains.
Fantin Latour is set in a historical 19th-century mansion in the heart of Grenoble. It boasts an indoor area and a beautiful outdoor garden where you can dine in the warmer months. In the garden, you will find hens and roosters pecking around, rabbits, and even beehives. I think it’s this that gives Fantin Latour so much charm.
The restaurant has two settings: a relaxed lunch “brasserie” and a more gourmet dinner. The food is also beautifully presented, tasty, and looks like pieces of artwork. Certainly, it is a place to add to your list of must-eat restaurants in Grenoble if you want to indulge your senses. Address: 1 rue du, Rue Général de Beylie, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Please note that the Fantin Latour is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Restaurant Fantin Latour, Where to eat in Grenoble Isere France
9. Afternoon tea or Brunch at Gwendoline
If you want to do things more slowly while in Grenoble, I suggest having afternoon tea or brunch at Gwendoline Grenoble. This pretty shop is on a street corner near Place Victor Hugo public square.
Gwendoline is a family-owned café/wine bar that offers afternoon teas and light meals using seasonal ingredients. It also offers a good selection of teas and wines served in fancy teapots. This is a great spot to sit outside and relax while exploring the French world. Address: 6 Pl. Dr Léon Martin, 38000 Grenoble, France
10. Have a coffee break at Café Myro
If you love coffee and miss your fix, you’ll love Café Myro. Magda, the manager of this cosy café, discovered the coffee culture while living in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Café Myro offers speciality coffees, including espresso, cappuccino, flat white, and latte. They also make homemade food, mainly vegetarian and cakes, using seasonal fruit and vegetables.
This is a great place to take a short break or a snack while exploring Grenoble. Address: 12 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Please note this is closed on Monday.
Have a coffee at Café Myro in Grenoble
11. Try the local spirit, Chartreuse
I always like to try the local drinks or spirits wherever I am in a new city. If so, I suggest trying Chartreuse. This popular local spirit is offered in most of the restaurants and bars in Grenoble and across the ski resorts in the Isére area.
Chartreuse is usually drunk straight after a meal because it is a great digestif. However, it is also used in cocktails and as a mixer. Its natural green colour comes from the 130 plants, flowers, bark, roots, and spices used to create it.
- You can even head to the town of Chartreuse from Grenoble if you have time.
12. Have a drink or a cocktail at Blind Pig Cocktail bar
If you want somewhere to drink before or after dinner in Grenoble, I suggest the Blind Pig. It is a bar specialising in original cocktails created by the team. They also offer other spirits, beer, wine, and snacks. Try the house cocktail, like I did, if you can’t decide on the choices.
The Blind Pig has a nice, relaxed feel and offers indoor and outdoor seating. It is located in the city centre and is popular with the locals. From Wednesday to Saturday, the bar is open until 2 a.m. Address: 8 Rue de Turenne, 38000 Grenoble, France
Cocktails at the Blind Pig Bar – Where to drink for your 2 days in Grenoble
Catching public transport around Grenoble in 2 days
The best way to explore Grenoble’s main sites in 2 days is on foot. Prepare to do a lot of walking and don’t wear fancy high-heeled shoes, especially in the old town. Comfortable shoes are a must, like trainers or walking sandals. My go to walking shoes are my Merrell Women’s Siren, they are lightweight and comfortable.
Another great walkable city to visit in a weekend is Salzburg, Austria.
Grenoble public transport
The Grenoble public transport system, T.A.G., is efficient and easy to use. There are 5 tram lines, 36 bus lines, and 18 park-and-ride spots. You can purchase a one-hour, 10-trip, or all-day bus and tram ticket. Park ’n’ Ride allows you to combine parking and using public transport.
This means it’s doable if you’re driving to Grenoble for a day trip from one of the ski resorts. You simply park the car and then use the public transport with one ticket. Park ’n’ ride, you can get a 1-day ticket per person or a family ticket. You can find out more information and the public network map here on T.A.G
Good to know: Validate your ticket before getting on the tram. You do this just by tapping it on the machines at the tram stops.
Where to stay in Grenoble for 2 days
Many of Grenoble’s main attractions and sites are based in or near the old town, so I recommend staying within this area. I stayed at Okko Hotel Grenoble, which was a great base for walking and exploring the city centre for 2 days. It was located next to the Hoche Gardens and across from La Caserne de Bonne shopping centre. Perfect if you want to stay just one night or for the weekend in Grenoble.
This stylish modern hotel features a lounge area with a terrace library, a fitness centre, and a sauna. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks are available and free in the lounge during your stay. In the evening, guests are offered an appetiser buffet with antipasti and dips. My room was comfortable, had great Wi-Fi, and had all the necessities. I even had a nice view of the Bastille Fortress out my hotel window.
Check availability in Grenoble with Booking.com. I usually use them when booking just one night or a weekend break.
Walking across the bridge of the Isére River in Grenoble
The best way to get to Grenoble for 2 days
Getting to Grenoble from the UK is straightforward via plane, making it an excellent option for a weekend break in France. If you have more time, you can get there by car or train from the UK. Being only an hour away from most of the Isére ski resorts makes a great day trip for skiing.
Instantly save by booking your airport parking in the UK online with Purple Parking.
I arrived in Lyon by plane and then transferred to Grenoble, where I spent a few days skiing in Vaujany and Oz. Here are a few ways to get to Grenoble, too.
Flights to Grenoble from the UK
While Grenoble Alpes Isère Airport is only a short distance from the city centre, it is only open in winter. It serves guests heading to the famous ski resorts in the Isere region, like Alpe d’Huez. However, these flights from the UK tend to be more expensive during this time.
I recommend flying to Lyon St Exupéry airport (LYS) and getting a transfer or the train to Grenoble. Another option is Geneva; both airports offer a wider selection of airlines, and flights from the UK are more frequent.
I took a direct flight with Easyjet from London to Lyon for only an hour and 40 minutes. From there, I took a transfer, which was only an hour from Lyon to Grenoble’s centre. If you are flexible on dates, check out flight options on Supermarket.
Getting a train from Lyon to Grenoble
Another option is taking the train from Lyon to Grenoble, which runs at least once every hour. The train is only an hour and 20 mins and takes you directly into the city centre. You can buy your ticket at the station or online in advance.
Taking in the views from the La Bastille Fortress Cable Car in Grenoble
Ski resorts near Grenoble
Uncover the ultimate winter guides to the top ski resorts near Grenoble, France. Easily reachable by train, these destinations offer thrilling experiences for every ski enthusiast.
- Why Skiing in Oz Vaujany is a great alternative this Winter
- Arc 1600 – Winter Holiday Guide for Les Arcs Resort
- More to offer than skiing, A beautiful French village, Les Gets
Thank you for reading my article on seeing the Best of Grenoble in 2 Days. I have made this itinerary flexible, allowing you to add sites and miss attractions in Grenoble. It is a fantastic city to take a weekend break or spend a day exploring the museums and taking in the history.
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Have you visited Grenoble, France, for a day or weekend break? Or do you know any other things you can do in Grenoble or the surrounding area? Please let me know in the comments below.
Booking links, resources for Grenoble
- I stayed at the Okko Hotel, available here, for 2 days while in Grenoble
- For additional information on Grenoble, here is the tourist site
- Here are some other fun activities you can book for the Isére region.
- book a car hire from Lyon to Grenoble or the Isére ski resorts.
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Disclaimer: Even though I was a guest of Grenoble Tourism and Isére Tourism for the 2 days. All views are my own and based on my own experience.
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