- I second the opinion about Gonzales ice cream and jardin des plantes

2) Climbing onto to Moucherotte for that glimpse of Grenoble. Also must see is to climb on Bastille day and see the fireworks lit up on the city below.

3) The ugliness of the concrete transformed into something surreal which it snows out.

Keep ‘em coming guys!

1) The steps leading down to the Isere river next to the Pont St Laurent. This is a great place to lose yourself.

2) The view point next to the Musee Dauphinois on mid-way to the Bastille. You have a panaromic view of Grenoble that is especially nice in the evening sun. And this comes at just 5 minute walk from downtown.

3) The glade for BBQs at the north-west end of the Bastille. You reach up to it by climbing for 10 minutes from near the Intermarche over the Porte de la France. Several memorable BBQs were had there by me and friends, including one when we got wet from unsuspected showers.

4) The “frange verte” park at the south of Grenoble (Echirolles) which leads up to the “Etang de Haute Jarrie”. The park is accessible through tram A. You get a nice walk in the countryside and then reach the marsh, which is a good spot to watch migratory birds in the summer time. The snow-capped Belledonne mountain is brilliant in their reflection on the pond waters. This is a nice walk to do if you (like me) wake up late on a weekend and find sunny weather outside. It’s never too late to plan for a hike in the woods / mountains in Grenoble.

5) The cascade and the woods at the Sassenage village, to the north of Grenoble. There are caves here to explore for people who like doing that sort of thing. Otherwise, there are cool spots near the cascade for having a picnic in the nature, or for reading a book (I did spot some people doing this !). This place is also accessible through Tram A, and is a good alternative for a last minute plan to profit from a sunny day.

6) The walk up to the Murier fort and the park next to it, from St Martin D’Heres. It is especially beautiful in autumn, and has a good view of the Belledonne.

7) The “Just Beers” association in the Quartier St Laurent which throws open its doors on Thursday evenings, where you can meet random cheerful strangers supping random cheerful beers.

8) The bike path snaking along the Isere river. The “Ile d’amour” park is along this path next to the campus; it is another good place for BBQs.

9) The Druid’s Irish pub, which is my favorite pub in Grenoble. They have a group of amateur celtic musicians that play there on some of the evenings.

10) The night view of Grenoble from the top of the Bastille. There are several corners around there to enjoy this view while consuming liberal amounts of Chartreuse..

I haven’t mentioned any of the mountains outside of Grenoble. There are too many great places to see.

Even though I do find the city (at least outside centre ville) rather ugly (sorry), what is wonderful is biking through town and on each turn getting glimpses of the mountains in the distance, especially in the fall when it’s still sunny but the mountains are covered in snow.

Also, reading on the lawn in the Jardin de Ville, surrounded by all the teenage couples.

AND! the churros in the Parc Victor Hugo, for less than 2 euros. You have to go to the one in the southeast corner, on the other side from the tram lines.

Christina – I have to agree with you about the Chartreuse, particularly the Saint Hugues church near St. Pierre du Chartreuse. I am not a religious person but I had a very spiritual experience there. Check out this video diary if you haven’t already.

I agree with a lot of James’s faves: taking the tram, driving on the voies sur berges and yes, feeling that extra little bit of excitement, the run-down Italian feel of Saint Laurent, and the brioche-blueberry tart at Charmont Som.

I also get all excited about the history and mystery of Chartreuse. It really is almost a religious experience.

What else? Oh, le Magasin contemporary art museum, just because,the artists they feature must be some whacked out types and their exhibits are so spacey, but that’s why they’re fun. I don’t understand any of it either.

And one more thing, brunch at the Pumpkins, just because it’s like a refreshing mini-trip back to the States. If I have a Sunday morning there, I know I’m going to have a good week.

The walk from Meylan up to the village in Corenc. There is so much village life just outside of Grenoble!

The bio markets on Ave Ayguinards, Meylan.

And now to try all those other wonderful things others have mentioned…

I will enjoy my town a little more .. Thank you

One of my favorite pizzas in the city is actually from Little Italy, the food stall across from Monoprix at the Maison du Tourisme stop…the little pizzas (esp. pizza aux champignons) are so good! Amazing crust and the mushrooms are always fresh. Best crêpes were from the crêpe cart on the SE corner of Place Victor Hugo @ the intersection of Rue Victor Hugo and Rue Béranger.

My favorite walk in the city is from Parc Paul Mistral (I lived near there) and through the Jardin des Plantes and then up Rue Dominique Villars/Rue Bayard and then popping out by the Antiques Quarter. I also loved loved loved running along the Isère towards the campus becuase of the beautiful views of the Belledone.

I loved the tram more than anything..that along with the open air markets at Place Sainte-Claire and Place aux Herbes were my favorite things in the city.

What else do I love about Grenoble……the lovely stretch of street between Sainte-Claire les Halles and Notre Dame Musée…the Camionnette sur le campus…sunny days at the Jardin des Plantes….the voice of the tram announcer (spent SO many hours on the trams)…watching the slow march of les bulles to the top of the Bastille from random parts of town…the hordes of people at Place Grenette when it’s sunny out…macarons from Les Ecrins on Rue de Bonne (best macarons I’ve had ever, I still like them better than Pierre Hermé)…the happy happy happy ladies at the Banette at Place aux Herbes…the view of the mountains looking straight down Avenue de Valmy…hearing foot matches from my bedroom…popping my head out of my skylight to see the Belledonne…the quiet peacefulness of the Musée and their really comfy leather chairs…buying flowers from the shops by Sainte Claire les Halles…Sunday morning brunches at Pain et Cie…the man who works at the crêpe cart at Place Victor Hugo….the student run café in the art history/history building at UPMF…lying on the lawn in front of the Bibliothèque universitaire…the immense overwhelmingness of Géant Casino…the Frange Verte…sailing on Lac Laffrey…the buffet indien on Cours Jean Jaurès…the natural foods store on Cours de la Libération (Casabio?)…the little kids riding the horse cart things at the jardin de ville….I could go on and on

Best raclette – melted on a charcoal braiser at your table the old-fashioned way, with a resulting smoky taste that is authentic raclette. ‘Café des Alpes’ as you already mentioned above.

Best cheese – L’Alpage on rue Strasbourg. The line is always out the door.

Second your suggestion of fondue at La Confesse! Not just cheese, but chocolate too…

Ah, I have cheese on the brain today. It’s nearly the end of winter, time to anticipate the fresh produce that will be arriving from farms all around here…down at the far end of the Estacade Marche…