Can you feel the heat, hear children laughing around you or have the urge to sit on a patio for a drink? No panic, these are just the normal symptoms of the French summer!
Grenoble is not just beautifully surrounded by nature; it is a vibrant cultural stage and therefore a great city to spend the summer. Some will say that it gets too hot but there are plenty of ways to escape the heat wave and spend memorable times with family and friends.
Here are our best picks for what to do in Grenoble this summer:
Culture immersion: Festivals!
It will be hard to choose which festivals to attend because there are so many in and around Grenoble. Why don’t you go to one or two and save the others for next year?
IN GRENOBLE
Cabaret Frappé / July 16-21
Taking place in Le Jardin de Ville, in the heart of Grenoble, the festival is an eclectic mix of music.
Free
French National Day / July 14
Celebrate the anniversary of The Storming of Bastille with a military parade, picnic and fireworks at Place de Verdun and Parc Paul Mistral
Diverscities / July 15
International music concert taking place in Le Jardin de Ville
Free
L’été Oh! Parc
Happening in Parc Paul Mistral, L’été Oh! Parc offers tons of discoveries and experiences to share with families and friends
Free
AROUND GRENOBLE
Jazz à Vienne / June 28 – July 13
Unmissable jazz gathering in France.
Distance from Grenoble: 1.5 hours
Purchase tickets in advance
Berlioz Festival / August 18 – September 2
Well-known summer classical music event in France.
Distance from Grenoble: 45 minutes
Purchase tickets in advance
Le Grand Son / July 19-22
French Music Festival in Saint Pierre de Chartreuse.
Distance from Grenoble: 30 minutes
Purchase tickets in advance (but you can hear the music from outside of the event)
Années Folles et Folles Années / July 18-21 and 24-28
Local sound & light show based on historical reenactments
Distance from Grenoble: 1 hour
Purchase tickets in advance
Cool off! Outdoor pools and lakes
Needless to say you may want to refresh yourselves during your summer in Grenoble. Temperatures can go up to 35 - 38 degrees some days, so jumping in a pool or lake will be more than tempting. Where are the best places to take a dip?
OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOLS
There are great swimming pools in and around Grenoble, however please note that it can get pretty busy during the day and that France has a strict "no swim short" dress code meaning you will have to wear that silly speedo that you see at the beach (and sometimes swim caps will be required too).
Piscine Jean Bron
This pool is very accessible if you live right downtown and don’t feel like driving. There is a separate section for babies/children.
Address: 7 Rue Lazare Carnot, Grenoble
Tram stop: Foch Ferrié Line C
Stade Nautique d’Echirolles
Beautiful 50-meter outdoor pool for avid swimmers. 25-meter indoor pool and kid outdoor pool with grass area available
Address: 9 Rue Fernand Pelloutier, Echirolles
Tram stop: Echirolles Gare Line A
Piscine d’Eybens
Equipped with 3 pools for swimmers and children, the pool also offers diving boards
Address: 5 Rue du Château, Eybens
Bus stop: Eybens Le Verderet, Line C4
Piscine Doyen Gosse La Tronche
Ideally located on the top of La Tronche with a view of the mountains, the facilities are equipped with an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a wading pool.
Address: Rue Pasteur, La Tronche
Tram stop: Grand Sablon Line B
Piscine de Jarrie
The swimming pool is located in a green and tree-filled setting. A big lawn is available to have a picnic or to relax.
Ideally located on the top of La Tronche with a view of the mountains, the facilities are equipped with an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a wading pool.
Address: 249 avenue général Delestraint, Jarrie
Direction: Tram Line A till Echirolles Denis Papin then take the bus C66 till Jarrie, Clos Jouvin
LAKES
If you are looking for more "natural" experiences, there are plenty of beautiful lakes around Grenoble. They don't only offer open swimming in fresh water but also water activities such as sailing, windsurfing or kitesurfing. The surroundings are ideal for hiking or mountain biking!
Lac de Monteynard
The Monteynard lake is a paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing but also for hikers and swimmers.
Address: 38650 Treffort
Distance from Grenoble: 1 hour
Lac de Paladru
Fifth largest natural lake in France, the lake Paladru has also been the source of some incredible archaeological discoveries
Address: 38850 Paladru or 38850 Charavines
Distance from Grenoble: 40 minutes
Lac de Laffrey
Closest lake to Grenoble, and its elevation of 900 metres allows cooler temperatures in the summer!
Address: 38220 Laffrey Distance from Grenoble: 30 minutes
Le Bois Français
Perfect spot to cool off with your children. Le Bois Français is an outdoor activities centre offering multiple activities during the summer season (nautical sports, swimming, strolls…)
Address: 38420 Le Versoud
Distance from Grenoble: 20 minutes
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!
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