Musée de Grenoble

Admission is free. The museum is housed in the former bishop's palace on Place Notre Dame. It displays objects and pieces of art narrating the history of the Isère 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 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.

The current Grenoble Cathedral was mainly built in the 13th century and showcases a distinctive Gothic architectural style, notable for its use of brick and a five-sided apse with a vaulted ceiling. The cathedral is part of an exceptionally well-preserved episcopal complex, which includes the nearby Church of Saint-Hugues, a bishop’s residence, cloister, baptistery, and canons’ houses—offering a rare glimpse into medieval ecclesiastical life. Inside, visitors can admire a flamboyant Gothic ciborium from the 15th century, adding to the church’s artistic and historical value. Restoration efforts in the 19th century and archaeological discoveries, including remnants of a 4th-century baptistery found in 1989, have deepened the cathedral’s historical significance. 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).

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 Dauphiné. There are also exhibitions with wider interest as on the solar clocks in 2014, on the links with Japan in 2019. But the visit of the chapel is the main attraction of the museum. Outside the building are pleasant gardens with a nice view over the city. Access by car is difficult and it is best to walk to it by the climb of Chalemont via the Saint-Laurent footbridge. Exhibitions are in French and English.

History of the extremely active French resistance in the Alps during World War II. Information is in English, French and German. Entry is free.

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 min further up to Mont Jalla to get an even better view, where there is a memorial to the mountain troops who fought in World War II 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 Montée Chalemont) or a park on the West, near the large arch (called Jardin des Dauphins).

An ancient series of fortifications overlooking Grenoble. May be reached by cable car bastille-grenoble.com, round trip €8, or by a 40-minute hike. Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains from the top. On the Saint-Laurent side, giant stairways are impressive to climb or descend. On the way up you will also encounter a building that used to house the Institut Dolomieu but has been abandoned and in ruins since 2001. You can still walk into some of the old classrooms and lecture theatres.