A few words about Grenoble

Grenoble, the capital city of the France's Dauphine region is a town of 153,000 people (its urban area reaches half a million, in the top five French urban areas) lying at the foot of the Dauphine Alps. This location has long made it a perfect destination for winter sports fans and, in 1968, Grenoble hosted the Winter Olympics. The games brought a prestigious defeat for the Soviet Union as Norway took more gold medals. Today, truly to the sporting tradition, the current ski infrastructure is second to none.

Grenoble's mountainous location often grants the town a visit from the world's most challenging cycling event, Tour de France.

The city's origins date back to the 3rd century AD, after the tribe of Allobroges built the first defensive walls round the small town. The town came to be known as Gratianopolis after Emperor Gratian visited it in the 4th century AD. Grenoble, and the entire Dauphine region, has been in France since 1349. Ten years before that date, Pope Benedict XII and Dauphin Humbert II founded the Grenoble University. This gave Grenoble the reputation of an important scientific center that has lasted until the present. Out of many famous people born in Grenoble, the town honours Stendhal, a renowned 19th century novelist. A museum pays tribute to the writer.

The city comes divided into two parts - Old Town, with the ancient city walls and 17th century townhouses, and the modern part that might not be anything of note, but has all facilities travelers can need in terms of accommodation and shopping. Another historic landmark of Grenoble is Fort de la Bastille, a 16th century fortress, towering above the city. In order to enjoy an amazing panorama of the city and much beyond, just take a lift atop the fort. As for entertainment, Grenoble hosts a jazz festival in March, a rock festival in April, and a grand European theatre festival in June and July.

The local cuisine has two sweet specialties - the so-called Noix de Grenoble, a sweet walnut candy, and gateau aux noix, a walnut cake. For meals other than sweets, visit the Italian quarter, where Italian cafes and restaurants thrive in the winding, narrow streets of the Old Town.