Packing for Grenoble: Take this, leave that

A sample of things to throw in your Grenoble-bound suitcase

Getting ready to take a gander at Grenoble? You’ve bought your tickets, read all about the city’s history and attractions, and even crafted your itinerary on NileGuide. Sounds like you are ready, Freddy. But wait. What should you pack for a visit to France’s flattest city, smack in the middle of the Alps? Here are some insider tips on what throw into the suitcase and what to throw back into the closet.

Be sure to pack:

Grenoble takes pride in the fact that you can start a hike in the city center. No joke. Several mountain paths lead right out of town and to the summits. This means that you’ll want to pack a pair of hiking boots or at least sturdy trail shoes. Sneakers will carry you up to the Bastille, but if you want to climb higher, hiking shoes are your friends.

You’ll probably be spending quite a bit of time outdoors, even if you don’t plan on getting your hike on. Ladies and gentlemen visiting Grenoble: wear sunscreen. Any reliable cream will do, but try to find one specifically adapted to high mountains. The theory is the higher you are, the closer the sun is, the more you’re likely to get burned. 2-in-1 lip balm and sunscreen products make for convenient protection and baby-soft smackers. The cap contains lip balm and the tube contains sunblock, all in a handy, pocket-sized format, good enough for a short trip.

Mountains may surround Grenoble, but the city sits in a valley, making it one of France’s flattest. Couple that with a sprawling 280-kilometer network of bike paths and a cheap cycle rental system, and you’ll want to pack clothes you can cycle in. No need to deck yourself out for the Tour de France, but bring at least some comfortable, casual clothes that won’t get caught up in the spokes.

The indispensable sunscreen and lip balm duo

Don’t bother with:

On a trip to Grenoble, you will probably not need those high heels or that fancy suit and tie. Unless you have a big event planned in Grenoble, don’t bother with anything too dressy. The Grenoblois tend to dress casually. Sure the city has its share of fashion victims too, but they aren’t temporarily living out of a suitcase.

Instead, bring a pair of comfortable yet fashionable ballet flats (unless you are a man, of course), a pair of wrinkle-free slacks or skirt, and a comfortable but classy shirt. You will feel more at ease as you feast on your delicious French dinner.

Ladies, don’t bother with bringing your entire make-up armada. Most women here go light on the beauty products, which means you can too. This especially holds true in summer. If you pile on the layers, prepare to feel like your face is melting.

Unexpected but handy little things to have:

It’s always easy to spot the tourists at the grocery store– they’re the ones desperately searching for the bags at the checkout. You, however, will not have this problem because you know that most stores have done away with disposable sacks and now expect you to bring your own. This means you’ll want to pack a reusable shopping bag, preferably one that can be folded up and easy transported in a purse or pocket. If you forget, many stores also sell reusable bags for around 1.50 euros.

A handsome reusable shopping bag with matching pouch

A standard-sized backpack may also come in handy. Not only can it replace the above-mentioned grocery bag, it can carry your water bottle, snacks, and light jacket if you decide to go hiking. If you plan to use your backpack as a shopping bag, most store security guards will ask to peak inside before you enter the store, but it’s pretty painless.

Finally a seasonal word of advice, if you come to Grenoble in summer, you may want to bring a Chinese or Spanish-style hand-held fan. The heat can really pound down when waiting for the bus (and sometimes even on the bus if the AC fails).

If you come in winter, don’t hesitate to pack a ski jacket. It can be bulky, bt many Grenoblois wear theirs on the slopes and in the city. That way, when the call the nearby resorts gets too strong, you can take the bus to one of the nearby ski stations.