GRENOBLE FAQ`S
Grenoble is located at the foot of the French Alps in southeastern France where the river Drac joins the Isere River. It is the capital of the department of Isere in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. Dur to its distance to the ski resorts within France, Grenoble is known as the capital of the French Alps. Some of these renowned resort areas are Alpe d'Huez, Vauany, and Oz Ski Resort.
Lyon is only 70 miles away and Geneva is just about 90 miles, both major cities have a good connection to Grenoble.
There are three international airports located less than 90 minutes from Grenoble: Lyon Saint-Exupéry (60 minutes from Grenoble), Grenoble Alpes Isère (45 minutes from Grenoble), and Geneva (90 minutes from Grenoble). In total, more than 200 direct destinations are accessible.
With up to 10 direct Grenoble-Paris round trips by high-speed TGV train, and with the Lyon Part-Dieu hub 1 hour and 15 minutes away, the rail offer from Grenoble is also very attractive.
Ideally located in the city center, Grenoble railway station is perfectly connected to the city's bus and tram network.
Finally, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes motorway network is the most densely populated area after Île-de-France. Thanks to the A41, A48, A49 and A51 motorways, Grenoble is easily connected to Lyon, the Rhone Valley, Switzerland and Italy.
Grenoble city as a whole 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. Meaning getting around Grenoble in a day or weekend is easily doable by foot. If you don't want to walk or you get tired, using public transport is simple and you can get tickets for the day or a single ride.
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 1 hour, 10 trips, or an all-day ticket for the buses and tram.
Park 'n' ride allows you to combine parking and using public transport together. Meaning if you're driving to Grenoble for a day trip from one of the ski resorts it's doable. As you simply park the car and then use the public transport with one ticket. Park 'n' ride allows a 1 day ticket per person or a family ticket.
Grenoble, which has managed to preserve the traces of its rich past, is a great place to discover on foot. This city offers countless possibilities of walks; including a stroll through the tiny pedestrian streets, touring the European award-winning eco-neighborhoods or climbing the impressive Bastille.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency used in France is the euro, US dollars are not accepted. You can get euros in different banks open from Monday to Saturday and automatic cash points opened 24 hours a day.
We recommend that you exchange a small amount of cash prior to your trip, enough for a cab ride or basic spending on arrival. It is also useful to remind your bank and credit card company that you will be travelling to make sure your cards will work while in France. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.
Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.
Grenoble, like elsewhere in France, a service charge is usually included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.
For more information about tipping visit: Tipping in France
This is a university city, and nightlife begins with early evening happy hours. Certain streets and squares are packed out till the early hours. Expect pubs rather than old-fashioned bistros because what is popular here is craft beer, with dozens of microbreweries, whose ales are apparently superior quality because of the quality of the water. Shady Place de Berulle boasts Shakesbeer, the Belgian bar Brugs, and one of the many Irish pubs. The municipal theatre has a dynamic arts program, and more alternative performances take place in La Belle Électrique, in the old industrial quarter of Bouchayer-Viallet.
I don`t speak French. Will many people speak English?French is the official language spoken in Grenoble. Although it is always courteous to learn some basic phrases in the local language while travelling, English is widely spoken and you'll have no problem getting around without French. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook or app and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What is the food like?Food is a big part of Grenoble life and the city is beaming with amazing eateries. Here you'll find many restaurants with a variety of choices on offer. Although there is not a significan gastronomic tradition here, there are certain foods that should not be missed. Buy local cheeses saint-marcellin and bleu du vercors-sassenage at Les Alpages, run by master fromager Bernard Mure-Ravaud. Grenoble is famous for walnuts - made into oil, liqueur, pastries - and local producers can be found at Le Montagnard in the covered food market, Halles Sainte-Claire. There is only one Michelin-starred restaurant in town: chef Stéphane Froidevaux offers an affordable brasserie menu at lunchtime and fine dining in the evening at his sumptuous villa, Le Fantin Latour. But young chefs working with organic, seasonal products are emerging at contemporary bistronomique addresses such as Le Rousseau.
What are the best areas for shopping?Grenoble has a good range of shopping. Exclusive shops are intermingled with artists’ studios, alternative clothes designers and sweetshops. In the center of town you'll find everything available no matter what you're looking for. Retailers stretch around main avenues and squares, such as Place Victor Hugo or Grenette, Rue Felix Poulat and neighboring streets, where old buildings blend in harmony. Paved streets will take you to tiny boutiques in Rue Lafayette, Grand Rue or Rue de Bonne.
What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?Emergency dial 112.
When you need urgent medical care in Grenoble, you can go to the emergency department of Grenoble hospital, or call SOS Médecins or Médecins 7/7 Grenoble.
CHU Nord de Grenoble Hôpital Albert Michallon Service des Urgences
Hôpital Albert Michallon Service des Urgences
Avenue du Grésivaudan
38700 La Tronche
call SAMU emergency line: 15
04 76 76 75 75