Grenoble
Grenoble is a university city at the foot of the Alps, and a practical base for the Bastille cable car, city museums and day trips into the mountains.
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Grenoble is a university city in the Isère department of southeastern France, where the Isère and Drac rivers meet at the foot of the Alps. Peaks rise above many streets of the old town. The Bastille fortress sits on the hill above the center, and a cable car climbs to it from the old town.
Grenoble hosted the Winter Olympics in 1968, and it still works as a base for winter sport. The Chartreuse and Vercors ranges are both within reach for day hikes, but reaching the trailheads takes planning, so check bus times before you go. Two to three days cover the city, and add more if you want full days in the mountains. Late spring to early autumn suits hiking, and winter suits skiing. Choose Grenoble for a working university city where the mountains are close by.
Grenoble in five
- Ride the Bastille cable car firstThe bubble-shaped cable cars climb from the river to the Bastille fortress, with views over the city and the three mountain ranges. Check opening hours and ticket details on the operator's site, since they vary by season.
- Use Grenoble as a base for ski and hiking daysSeveral ski areas and trailheads lie within about 1–1.5 hours by bus or car. A city room costs less than a resort room, and trains and buses cover the main routes.
- Take the TGV from Paris or the train from LyonTGV services run from Paris in about 3 hours, and regional trains link Grenoble with Lyon and Chambéry. Lyon airport is the easiest gateway for most international flights.Plan your rail trip
- Walk the old center and the museumsThe center is compact and flat, with museums and markets near the river. A half-day covers the highlights before you head up the mountain.
- Bring a layer for the cable carIt is often cooler and windier at the top than in the valley. Check the weather for the day before you ride, since the cars may pause in strong wind or storm.
Things to do in Grenoble
See all attractions in Grenoble
Need to know
- Airport
- Grenoble Alpes Isère is small; Lyon (LYS) is the usual gateway
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris about 3 hours; regional trains from Lyon
- Getting around
- Trams, buses and walking; cable car to the Bastille
- Best base
- Near the station or the old center
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; more with a ski or hiking day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low0°Cold, ski daysJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski days
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, ski daysFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski days
- MarchRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low3°Mild, late snowMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, late snow
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Spring, freshAprilRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, fresh
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Warm, hikingMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 130 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyClear9 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear9 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Warm, clearSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, fall colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fall color
- NovemberRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low4°Cold, wetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- DecemberRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low1°Cold, skiDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 169 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski
Average daily high and low in Grenoble, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Grenoble
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Grenoble
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue11°5°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed12°4°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu14°7°19%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Fri11°9°31%Friday: Rain. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sat16°7°18%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sun17°9°30%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated 06:56 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulJazz à VienneLyon, a day trip
- Jun–JulFourvière NightsLyon, a day trip
- DecFestival of LightsLyon, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Chambéryabout 1 hour by trainA Savoie town with an old center and lakes nearby.Read the guide
- Annecyabout 1.5 hours by trainA lake town with canals and swimming in summer.Read the guide
- Lyonabout 1.5 hours by trainA food city and a main gateway for the Alps.Read the guide
- Chamonixabout 2.5 hours by roadThe Mont Blanc valley, with lifts and glacier views.Read the guide
Before you go to Grenoble
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Rules for Grenoble, checked
- Check whether you need a Schengen visa or an entry authorization before you fly. Use the official France-Visas site for current rules.Source
- Carry your passport or national ID card at all times. Police can ask to see it at any time.
- Dial 112 from any phone for police, fire or an ambulance. 15 connects to the medical emergency service (SAMU).
- Customs limits meat, dairy and other animal products brought in from outside the EU. Check the French customs site before you pack food.Source
- Service is included in restaurant bills by law, so tipping is optional. Rounding up the bill is common.
Plan around Grenoble
Regions, cities and how to plan the whole trip
Read the guideFrench Alps and the JuraBases, passes and trains in the region
Read the guideChambéryThe Savoie town between lakes and peaks
Read the guideAnnecyA lake town an hour and a half away
Read the guideLyonThe big city to the west by train
Read the guideTrain or passWhen a Eurail pass pays in France
Read the guideGrenoble FAQ
Is Grenoble worth visiting?
Yes if you want a mountain-ringed city with museums and an easy cable car. It is a good base for trips into the Alps. Skip it if you want a resort village atmosphere.
How many days do you need in Grenoble?
One day covers the Bastille and the old center. Two days let you add a museum or a short mountain trip. Use more time if you plan a ski or hiking base here.
Is Grenoble a good base for the French Alps?
Yes for budget and transport reasons. Trains and buses reach the main valleys, and city rooms cost less than resort rooms. It is a longer ride to the high peaks than Chamonix.
How do you get from Lyon to Grenoble?
By regional train in about 1.5 hours, or by bus or car. Check the current SNCF timetable for the exact journey time.
When is the best time to visit Grenoble?
May to June and September to October for hiking weather and fewer crowds. Winter is ski season in the nearby areas, and July and August can be hot in the valley.