The streets of Grenoble are paved with
architectural marvels, edifices and structures that one cannot leave without
visiting. You can’t help but feel immersed in the history that was. Whether it
is a little avenue, or a neighbourhood, or even a garden, the attention to
detail paid by the Ville Grenoble (the city council) with regard to upkeep,
hygiene and maintenance, is stupendous.
Owing to its location, Grenoble is
multifaceted on the weather front. Having both cold winters and warm summers
that go up to 25-27°C, the average temperature in Grenoble is 11°C.
Visible from any part of the city, La
Bastille is a series of beautiful ancient buildings and has been credited as
the most extensive example of early 18th-century fortifications in all of
France. Though abandoned in the early 20th century, since 1934, La Bastille has
been the destination of the ‘Les Bulles’ (the cable car bubbles) that make for
an excellent view over the Isère River. At the top are two restaurants and a
small military museum on mountain troops (Musée des Troupes de Montagne).
Whistle treading down the Bastille, it is
impossible to miss the illustrious ‘Cours Jean Jaures’, the longest and
straightest European road, in all its splendour. The view from the entire trail
somehow gets better at every level, but not half as marvellous as it is after
sun down, sparkling almost celestially with every streetlight.
Halle Sainte-Claire makes for a gorgeous
example of farmers markets in Grenoble that are known to supplement the economy
of the city. Built in 1874, its tands, to date, on a site once occupied by the
Clarisses nuns in the 15th century. From Tuesday to Sunday, this colourful
market sets up shop at its site, and bustles with locals and tourists alike.
There are two similar other markets – Marché de l’estacade and Marché de Saint
Bruno – that are also set up by farmers, artisans, chefs, florists, wine
merchants and fishermen that sell their fresh, organic and home grown produce
at very reasonable prices.
A 15-minute and 10€ train ride to Voiron
will have you very nobly sipping Chartreuse. A French liqueur made by the
Carthusian Monks based on a secret manuscript handed down by François Annibal
d’Estrées in 1605, it is made in variations of potency, with a flavour that is
absolutely inexplicable. Chartreuse is delectably sweet yet highly infused with
spices. Much like the rest of this citadel, it leaves you with a strong
lingering flavour and a desire to come back for more.
