Grenoble

As the Capital of the French Alps, Grenoble has plenty of fantastic accommodation options for visitors to choose between, especially in the mid-range three stars range. Those with their sights set on grander choices should start their search with the palatial Residhome Grenoble Caserne De Bonne (21 rue Lazare Carnot), which boasts a selection of coolly contemporary apartments 10 minutes from the city centre. Even more central is the charming and stylish Le Grand Hôtel Grenoble (5 rue de la République), an exquisite four-star option. There are several standouts in the mid-range including Apparthôtel Privilodges Quartier de Bonne (1 rue Guy Allard) and Hipark (6 rue Auguste Génin).

Possibly the best place to shop in the Alps, Grenoble is the proud host of department stores, galleries, food stores and gift shops. Most visitors start by visiting the popular French department store Galeries Lafayette (12 place Grenette), which specialises in stunning clothing and homeware. If you’d rather curl up with a good book and a large mug of coffee, the Librairie Chapitre Arthaud de Grenoble (23 Grande Rue) is ideal. For foodstuffs, try Fromagerie des Alpages (4 rue de Strasbourg), where you’ll find punchy Savoyard speciality cheese. Unique souvenirs can be bought from Gabriel Gay (5 rue Montorge), a celebrated jeweller and clockmaker.

Savoyard is famed for its distinctive cuisine, which may be sampled at many excellent restaurants in Grenoble, with dishes cooked using locally sourced products and ingredients such as fresh cheese, wild mountain trout, nuts, herbs and meat from locally reared animals. If you fancy a particularly upmarket meal, make a booking at the Le Mal Assis (9 rue Bayard) in the Old Town, a smart and cosy restaurant that offers traditional French cuisine. There are also plenty of raclette and fondue choices, such as La Fondue (5 rue Brocheries), which boats many melt-in-your-mouth dairy products.

Grenoble’s residents have a flair for the dramatic and nowhere is that easier to see than in their unique traditions and festivals, any of them makes a good centrepiece for a holiday in the city:

Grenoble Jazz Festival

An annual springtime tradition, the Grenoble Jazz Festival has become a yearly highlight of the last few years. Over 200 musicians play a diverse selection of jazz music, with gigs in more than 20 venues across the city. It’s one of the world’s largest such festivals and attracts a host of big international names.

Les Arts du Récit

A storytelling festival featuring colourful narratives from both contemporary and classical folklore traditions illustrated through visual arts, theatre, dance and film.

Cabaret Frappé

Grenoble’s main summer event, this funky music festival attracts over 50,000 music fans. Performances take place under the trees of the City Gardens, making it ideal for a sunny afternoon out, and sounds range from light jazz to bombastic hip hop rhythms.