With a 2004 population of 158,000, Grenoble is situated at the foot of the French Alps, at the confluence of the Drac and Isere rivers. Grenoble is known to the French as the "Capital of Alps". Mountain sports are the main tourist draw for the city - in fact, there are no less than 20 ski stations surrounding the city.
Grenoble is also an important historical city. Overlooking the city is the La Bastille fortification, a medieval defense work that saw extensive additions throughout the centuries, including a semi-underground network. It is indeed the most extensive early 18th century Defense fortification in France, and was an important strategic point on the Alpine frontier throughout France's history. It is now a tourist destination reached by a quirky egg-shaped cable car system that spans across the Isere River. The views from the cable car and from the Bastille fortification are extraordinary.
With all its winter sports, mountains and outdoor activity, Grenoble is not known for clean mountain air. The valley location is such that pollution is trapped and it can be particularly problematic in summer. Hiking through the mountains, away from the city, is a popular summer activity.
If you want to have a cup of coffee at France's second oldest coffee shop, come down to the Café de la Table Rond, located in the heart of the city at Place-Saint-Andre, which also contains the 15th century Palais de Justice building. The square is the site of various markets and is surrounded by a medieval network of smaller squares and narrow streets.
There are several fine museums in Grenoble, including the Archaeological Museum of St. Laurent and the Musee Dauphinois, which is set in an old convent and features regional crafts, history and a marvelous Baroque chapel in the basement. Modern culture is represented in the Musee de Grenoble, an impressive structure with an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures, and a converted 19th-century warehouse known as Le Magazin, featuring a collection of contemporary art that pushes the boundaries to the cutting edge.
Grenoble is also an important historical city. Overlooking the city is the La Bastille fortification, a medieval defense work that saw extensive additions throughout the centuries, including a semi-underground network. It is indeed the most extensive early 18th century Defense fortification in France, and was an important strategic point on the Alpine frontier throughout France's history. It is now a tourist destination reached by a quirky egg-shaped cable car system that spans across the Isere River. The views from the cable car and from the Bastille fortification are extraordinary.
With all its winter sports, mountains and outdoor activity, Grenoble is not known for clean mountain air. The valley location is such that pollution is trapped and it can be particularly problematic in summer. Hiking through the mountains, away from the city, is a popular summer activity.
If you want to have a cup of coffee at France's second oldest coffee shop, come down to the Café de la Table Rond, located in the heart of the city at Place-Saint-Andre, which also contains the 15th century Palais de Justice building. The square is the site of various markets and is surrounded by a medieval network of smaller squares and narrow streets.
There are several fine museums in Grenoble, including the Archaeological Museum of St. Laurent and the Musee Dauphinois, which is set in an old convent and features regional crafts, history and a marvelous Baroque chapel in the basement. Modern culture is represented in the Musee de Grenoble, an impressive structure with an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures, and a converted 19th-century warehouse known as Le Magazin, featuring a collection of contemporary art that pushes the boundaries to the cutting edge.
Chuck has been writing and publishing articles to the web since 2001. Check out his latest website which is all about the benefits of using knock off golf clubs to enjoy the advantage of great name-brand technology for a fraction of the cost. Also find out how to be smart when you buy cheap golf sets.
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