Grenoble Old Town

Grenoble

Grenoble which includes street scenes, a square or plaza and markets
Grenoble showing street scenes, flowers and shopping
Grenoble featuring street scenes and railway items
Grenoble featuring food and markets
Grenoble featuring heritage architecture and street scenes

Wander the lively streets of this charming area of Grenoble, where very little has changed since the 16th century.

Grenoble’s Old Town is the heart of the city, home to squares and marketplaces that have acted as meeting places for centuries. The Old Town contains numerous examples of beautiful architecture reflecting its 2,000 years of history. Look for the medieval buildings, stately mansions, crumbling Roman walls and old churches as you stroll through the narrow lanes of this neighbourhood.

Dating back as far as 43 B.C., Grenoble was founded as a Gallo-Roman settlement, then known as Cularo. Beginning in the 3rd century, this area became the administrative capital of the city and the Gallo-Romans erected protective walls around the neighbourhood. At the beginning of rue Lafayette, look for the ruins of this original wall. As you continue to walk through the Old Town, try to spot bronze medallions embedded in the streets designating the location where the full wall once stood.

Gaze up at the tall steeple of St. Andrew’s Church, also known as Collégiale Saint-André. Piercing the skyline above the surrounding buildings in Saint André Square, this landmark church is almost impossible to miss.

Don’t miss Place Grenette, one of the city’s main squares since the 17th century. Here, you’ll find a stone fountain depicting cherubs and dolphins, carved by 19th-century sculptor Victor Sappey.

Spend time admiring the former palace of the Dauphinois parliament. This palace’s Gothic and Renaissance façades make it one of the city’s most distinctive buildings.

Stop for a coffee at Café de la Table Ronde, the second-oldest café in France, built in 1739. It’s said that famous 19th-century thinker Stendhal enjoyed sitting at this very café to write.

One of the best times to visit Grenoble Old Town is during the morning, when a busy farmers market is held at Place aux Herbes every day except Monday. The Old Town can be quite busy on Saturdays, when locals and tourists come out to enjoy its many shops and cafés.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Grenoble Old Town

Le Grand Hôtel Grenoble, BW Premier Collection by Best Western

Le Grand Hôtel Grenoble, BW Premier Collection by Best Western

4 out of 5
5 Rue De La Republique, Grenoble, Isere
The price is HK$816 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
HK$816
HK$926 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Grenoble. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (991 reviews)
"All was very good"

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Le Grand Hôtel Grenoble, BW Premier Collection by Best Western
Residhotel Grenette

Residhotel Grenette

3 out of 5
12 rue de Palanka, Grenoble, Isere
The price is HK$423 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
HK$423
HK$491 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Grenoble. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,078 reviews)
"Clean room, professional staff and good breakfast. However, the property is a little tired and would need to be refreshed (the hallway carpets are somber and the room floor tiles had large gaps)."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

Residhotel Grenette
OKKO Hotels Grenoble Centre

OKKO Hotels Grenoble Centre

4 out of 5
23 rue Hoche, Grenoble, Isere
The price is HK$708 per night from 24 Oct to 25 Oct
HK$708
HK$808 total
24 Oct - 25 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Grenoble. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (981 reviews)
Great Location
"Well located, comfortable, friendly hotel in Grenoble"

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

OKKO Hotels Grenoble Centre
Hôtel Les Trois Roses, Grenoble Meylan

Hôtel Les Trois Roses, Grenoble Meylan

4 out of 5
32 Avenue Du Gresivaudan, Meylan, Isere
The price is HK$696 per night from 24 Oct to 25 Oct
HK$696
HK$795 total
24 Oct - 25 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Meylan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Museum Hebert and Musée ...
9/10 Wonderful! (246 reviews)
"They had a very helpful and wonderful staff"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Hôtel Les Trois Roses, Grenoble Meylan
PoMo Hotel & Restaurant

PoMo Hotel & Restaurant

4 out of 5
16 Avenue De Kimberley, Echirolles, Isere
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Echirolles. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (514 reviews)
"Spa included in the price, clean and open till 23.00."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

PoMo Hotel & Restaurant
Novotel Grenoble Centre

Novotel Grenoble Centre

4 out of 5
7 Place Robert Schuman, Grenoble, Isere
The price is HK$700 per night from 24 Oct to 25 Oct
HK$700
HK$799 total
24 Oct - 25 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star ski hotel in Grenoble. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Jardin des Dauphins and Magasin Centre ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (627 reviews)
"Everything was as it should be."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Novotel Grenoble Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Grenoble Old Town

Jardin de Ville which includes a park

Quartier Hyper-Centre

While you're in Quartier Hyper-Centre, take in top sights like Place Grenette or Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Hubert Dubedout-Maison du Tourisme Tram Stop or Victor Hugo Tram Stop.

Quartier Hyper-Centre
Default Image

Secteur 2

Historical sites, bars and shopping highlight some notable features of Secteur 2. Make a stop by Grenoble Theater or Place Notre Dame while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Sainte-Claire Les Halles Tram Stop or Notre-Dame Musée Tram Stop to get around town.

Secteur 2
Jardin de Ville featuring a garden

Grenoble City Centre

4.5/5(19 area reviews)

Historical sites, bars and shopping highlight some notable features of Grenoble City Centre. Make a stop by Place Grenette or Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Hubert Dubedout-Maison du Tourisme Tram Stop or Victor Hugo Tram Stop to get around town.

Grenoble City Centre
Default Image

Ile Verte

Even though there aren't top sights in Ile Verte, you can explore the larger area and take in top sights like Museum of Grenoble. Jump on the metro at Ile Verte Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Ile Verte
Grenoble featuring flowers and a garden

Quartier Exposition-Bajatière

While you're in Quartier Exposition-Bajatière, take in top sights like Paul Mistral Park or Palais des Sports, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Albert 1er de Belgique Tram Stop or Mounier Tram Stop.

Quartier Exposition-Bajatière
Default Image

Quartier Chorier-Berriat

When in Quartier Chorier-Berriat and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like WTC Grenoble or La Caserne de Bonne and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Saint-Bruno Tram Stop or Berriat-Le Magasin Tram Stop.

Quartier Chorier-Berriat


Grenoble Old Town