Jardin des Dauphins — Attraction in Grenoble

Just a quick note: you may see quite a few one-star reviews online, but most of them aren’t about the park itself. They usually refer to a restaurant located inside the park, a place I haven’t visited, so I can’t really give an opinion. As for the park, it’s a different story altogether.

Jardin des Dauphins is a beautiful park that offers the chance to enjoy a pleasant walk along the mountainside (you can even reach the Bastille Fort if you’re in good shape); it consists of a series of six terraces with retaining walls linked by steps, passageways and paths.

The first two terraces are laid out in the style of French gardens, while the higher ones blend into the fortifications, making it hard to tell where the garden ends and the fort begins.

Although the climb to the fort isn’t particularly steep or dangerous, it will still test your stamina — but it’s well worth the effort.

Negative points: the abundant vegetation attracts swarms of tiger mosquitoes. In addition, the only public toilets are the unisex toilets at the top of the mountain, which are very crowded and not exactly clean.

And one last note: I noticed some reviews online where visitors complained they didn’t see any dolphins in the park. To clear things up, the name “Dauphin” doesn’t come from the animal, but from a noble title. It was first used by the counts who ruled this region (Dauphins de Viennois) and, from 1349 onward, it was adopted by the French royal house for the crown prince. So, just to be clear in this aspect, you won’t meet...

If you’re looking for a local trail to explore, Jardin des Dauphins is a wonderful choice. This peaceful garden sits at the base of a steep trail and offers a very serene atmosphere perfect for relaxation. The highlight of the lower section is a beautiful statue that’s definitely worth admiring. For families, the trail becomes even more appealing as you venture upward - you’ll discover several play areas designed for children, making this spot ideal for both nature lovers and parents looking to entertain their kids. The combination of natural beauty, art, and family-friendly amenities makes this a well-rounded destination for locals and...

There are several ways to get to Fort de la Bastille and the Jardin des Dauphins is one of them. You might expect a garden but in reality it's a path (surrounded by a variety of flora) that slowly climbs to the vicinity of Fort Rabot, until spiraling upwards to the tops.

You will encounter many terraces and artificial balconies made solely to admire the panoramic views from the many facades of this rocky mountain.

Overall a pleasant hike...