The city of Grenoble, France holds a major place in my life. I spent a large part of. my thirties attending business school here during various international residencies. It also happened to mark the time shortly after I had gotten separated from the first administration. It also happened to mark the city on where I met the current administration, leaving this city a happy memory in my life time.

---

This post is one chapter on a trip to the South of France and Cinque Terre, Italy. This trip was enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. For information on how this trip was booked, please see our introduction. For parts of the trip, please see this index.

If you enjoyed this post, please follow us here or on social media through Facebook, Twitter “X” or Instagram for more travel tips and hacks on how to “Upgrade Your Travels”.

---

---

A Fall Visit – Returning to Grenoble, France

---

For regular followers, many will know that I went to business school in Grenoble, France. I spent a substantial amount of time throughout 2007 and 2008 years. I really enjoyed visiting Grenoble, France back then. This trip would mark my first return to the city in seventeen years. It also marked the return to the city where I met MrsWT73 where we were both attending the Grenoble Graduate School of Business.

About Grenoble, France:

Grenoble, France is located in the Rhone Alpes region of France. The city previously hosted the 1968 winter Olympics, although there isn’t the same level of commercialism with the Olympics of that era compared to today. There are few reminders of this in Grenoble today.

Today, the city is home to a large student university population, and home to several tech and manufacturing companies such as Schneider Electric, Hewlett Packard – France, Apple, Rossingnol and Caterpillar. This has resulted in the second largest English speaking community in France outside of Paris.

Visiting Grenoble, France:

We had a full day to re-discover elements of our past. We approached today’s visit on foot from the Novotel Grenoble Centre Hotel.

Our first stop was the business school where I had attended during my past time in Grenoble. I was able to stop in and take a quick visit; along with picking up a souvenir hoodie from the alumni gift shop.

After leaving the school, we wandered though the SNCF train station, passing over to the main centre side of Grenoble, France. We wandered past the sign marker, that offered a few hints of the past Olympic history of Grenoble.

Walking along Avenue Alsace Lorraine:

We walked along Avenue Alsace Lorraine, which is also home to one of Grenoble’s tramway routes. We eventually came along to the fountains located at the five way intersection of Alsace Lorraine, Rue Theirs and Boulevard Gambetta. These fountains have been there for years and have a retro dandelion look to them.

On our walk, I wheeled by one of my favorite seafood restaurants; Les Boullion Archers. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity to visit this time around, although the menu and weather looked terrific.

Eventually, we got into central Grenoble. The area is mostly pedestrian oriented. Despite being an older town off the tourist trail, it has a number of charming squares and spaces.

I eventually came across La Ferme a Dede restaurant, which we would enjoy dining at later on this trip. La Ferme de Dedee Restaurant offered excellent Savoyard cuisine and was well worth a visit.

Walking the Isere River:

Our walk and visit took us down to the Isere River. The Isere River cuts straight through the north end of town, making for a really picturesque mountainous view.

I used to run down by the river when I spent time here as a business school student. It was always a really pretty run along the water way. Today’s visit was no different, with fall sun out in full force during our afternoon walk.

We eventually headed back to the Novotel Grenoble Centre Hotel before heading onwards by car to the Sheraton Nice Airport Hotel.

My Thoughts on Returning to Grenoble, France:

I really enjoyed returning to Grenoble, France after a seventeen year absence. While much of the city remained the same, it was interesting to return to a city after so much time had passed in life.

Having visited in my mid thirties, and now being in my early fifties, I was so much further along in life. Things have been going well and the education efforts have paid off.

All in all, the city of Grenoble France was well worth our time to visit on this trip. I enjoyed the day and re-visiting old sights.

---

If you’ve visited the city of Grenoble – France, what is your favorite feature of the city ?

---