Fort de La Bastille — Attraction in Grenoble

In this case, the journey is more interesting than the destination

First: how do you get there? If you’re not in good physical shape or have health issues (cardio-respiratory or mobility problems), it’s best to take the cable car. The downside is that you’ll miss the most beautiful part of the experience, the climb itself.

If you’re able, I strongly recommend going on foot. From Grenoble, there are four main access routes:

1st through the Jardin des Dauphins and Guy Pape parks The 2nd one starting from the Saint-Laurent gate The 3rd one from the old Rabot fort The 4th via the road behind the fortress (for those arriving by car)

In addition to these four routes, there are several mountain trails, for example, the path to the Mandrin Cave, but these require more time and proper hiking equipment.

Walking up is worth it, because the fort isn’t only on the top of the mountain, it stretches along the mountainside. If you take the gondola lift, you’ll see very little of the fortifications.

Depending on the route, you’ll pass by other points of interest: the terraces of the Jardin des Dauphins, the Rabot Fort and old officers’ barracks, the Giants’ Staircase, and the Saint-Laurent gate. My advice: go up one way and come down another.

At the base of the mountain, you’ll also find some interesting (and free) museums: the Dauphinois Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Grenoble Museum...

The top of the fort (the main attraction) is a bit underwhelming. Apart from the mountain views, there isn’t much to see.

A few negatives:

The fort itself cannot be visited. Most buildings are occupied by private businesses (a climbing club, for example), with restricted public access.

Food and drinks are rather expensive.

The unisex toilets are not the best choice (and not very clean either).

Some of the bastions and covered stairways on the mountainside are dirty (though that’s partly due to careless visitors). avoid the old geography institute, it's just a rundown building with graffiti, falling into disrepair.

And lastly: Grenoble itself isn’t the most spectacular city. The mountain backdrop is beautiful, but the city view is less so.

In conclusion: I’m giving it 4 stars, but mostly for the journey rather than the fort itself. Those who go only by cable car would probably rate it three stars...

Grenoble’s city centre is concentrated on the south edge of the swift meandering River Isere. Exactly facing the old centre but on the north side of the river looms the hillside fortifications of La Bastille, a grand 16th-century military stronghold complete with a donjon, an ammunition depot and several scattered underground hide-outs. Crossing pedestrianized Pont St-Laurent from the old centre deposits you on Place de la Cimaise, a small secluded square that offers a fair share of atmospheric eateries. An unmarked narrow passageway nestled at the foot of the hill right behind Place de la Cimaise is the start of a stiff one-hour uphill climb that leads to Fort de la Bastille. The winding walkway is unsuitable for those who lack adrenaline because the paths are rough, stony and in places, swampy and watery. The only relief are the benches that fill in several recesses along the way. As one ventures further uphill, the views over the city of Grenoble and the surrounding mountains become more spectacular. To avoid walking up to the fort, one can hop aboard the Telepherique Grenoble Bastille from the lower station on Quai Stephane Jay. Riding the all-glass egg-shaped pods of the telepherique is an unforgettable spell of amusement that alas... lasts only 10 minutes. The architecture of the fort is nothing special or unusual but for the sheer size of the building, the fort is worth a visit. Temporary exhibitions, often interactive are held inside. Further up behind the fort, more passageways lead to the Centre d’Art Bastille and the Musee Troupes de Montagne. The surrounding trails in the forest continue to the Park Regional...

A very interesting feature of Grenoble. We took the ride up with the gondola. You can also walk up, but it was a very hot day and we were traveling with the kids.

The trip with the gondola is very scenic and you can have a really good look around on your way up.

Once you’re up top you can immediately access the terrace where you can have a very panoramic view of Grenoble.

If you walk to the complete other side, you can fetch a view of the other side and even catch a view of Mont Blanc in the background.

There is a restaurant and a smaller restaurant for snacks, and there are various activities for children up on top that you can book on site that includes parkour and climbing or some games that they can play.

Very friendly staff, and you can probably spend a good hour or...