Grenoble Facts

Introduction

567km (352 miles) SE of Paris; 55km (34 miles) S of Chambéry; 103km (64 miles) SE of Lyon

The ancient capital of the Dauphine, Grenoble is the commercial, intellectual, and tourist center of the Alps. It's a major stop for travelers, including those driving between the Riviera and Geneva.

A sports capital in winter (and host of the 1968 Winter Olympic Games) and summer, it attracts many foreign students; its university has the largest summer-session program in Europe. Founded in 1339, the University of Grenoble has a student body of some 50,000. The city (pop. 405,000) is also home to four other universities with a large contingent of English and American students, giving the city a cosmopolitan air.

During the French Revolution, Grenoble was rebaptized Grelibre. The people wanted nothing to do with nobles and royalty. “Libre”, which is French for “free,” made the city sound much more revolutionary.

The walnut is Grenoble’s main culinary claim to fame. The little legume comes in three varieties and benefits from an Appellation d’Origine Contrôllée label, just like many wines and cheeses. There is even an insightful walnut museum in Vinay, about half an hour from Grenoble.