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Grenoble Sights and Landmarks Guide, France

Grenoble, much like France’s other important cities, is a great tourist destination. The city might not boast of a supremely rich cultural life like Cannes and does not even have pre-historical remains like Nimes, but there is still enough to see and do in Grenoble – right from churches, forts, palaces and museums to gardens, scientific parks and ski resorts. Here we introduce you to some popular Grenoble sights so that you can plan your city-tour in advance.

Grenoble Sights – Cultural Attractions

Grenoble has many museums. Musée Archéologique Saint Laurent, as the name suggests, is an archeological site. Both Musée de Grenoble and Magasin-Centre National D'Art Contemporain are art museums (while the former was founded in 1796 the latter came up only in 1986).

Muséum d'histoire Naturelle preserves the natural history of Grenoble.

Musée Dauphinois, housed in a 17th century convent gives one a thorough understanding about the historic province of Dauphiné. Maison Du Patrimoine De Hieres-Sur-Amby (at Montée de la Cure) showcases pre-historical remains.

Among the areas, other museums are Musee De La Houille Blanche, Musee Stendhal and Musee Souterrain La Mine Image.

Grenoble Sights – Ecclesiastical Attractions

Abbaye De Saint Chef is the most famous religious structure within the city limits. Built during the middle ages, the abbey has some exquisite Romanesque frescos depicting different Biblical scenes.

Grenoble Sights – Historical Attractions

Speaking of Grenoble’s historic sites/monuments, the first that comes to mind is Fort de la Bastille. The majestic fortress was first built in the medieval period but construction work continued till the 19th century. Standing at the foot of the Chartreuse massif, the fort gives nice views of the city.

The other must-see historical monument is the Chateau De Septeme. First built in the 11th century, the Chateau was renovated in the 15th century. Also, check the Renaissance-style arcades and galleries in the adjoining courtyard.

A visit to the Site National Historique De La Resistance En Vercors takes you back to the days of the World War II. Besides the memorial, here you will come across war ruins.

Grenoble’s historical attractions also include a number of forts built in the 19th century – Fort Barraux, Fort Du Murier, Fort Du Saint Eynard are just a few.

Other impressive Grenoble sights for great constructions include the Chateau De Bardonenche and Chateau Du Touvet. While the former was built in the late 16th century merely for entertainment purpose, the latter was built by the Dauphins in the middle ages as part of their defense mechanism.

Grenoble Sights – Miscellaneous Attractions

As said, Grenoble is just full of tourist attractions and your tour will remain incomplete unless you have visited Grenoble’s parks and gardens. Even if you cannot squeeze out time to visit the ski-resorts, you must find time to see the reflective sundial Horloge Solaire. Although four other sundials are on display in La Casamaures, the 17th century built Horloge Solaire is famous for its accuracy and here you can check the time, month and even the zodiac sign.

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