Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car

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Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car

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Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car, Urban cable car in Grenoble, France.

The Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car connects the city center to the Bastille fortress through transparent spherical cabins that ascend 500 meters above the Isère River.

Inaugurated in September 1934, this transportation system marks the first urban cable car in France, designed by architect Jean Benoît to access the military fortifications.

The cable car system features distinctive round transparent cabins known as 'Les Bulles', which have become a recognized symbol of Grenoble since their introduction in 1976.

The cable car operates daily throughout the year, carrying over 288,000 visitors annually between the lower station near city gardens and the upper Bastille fortress station.

During the ascent, passengers in the glass cabins experience a panoramic view of Grenoble's cityscape, with Mont Blanc visible on clear days.

Location: Grenoble

Inception: September 29, 1934

Architects: Jean Benoît

Website: http://bastille-grenoble.fr

GPS coordinates: 45.19307,5.72603

Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:40

Modern and historical buildings in Grenoble

Grenoble displays architectural developments from the medieval period to the present day. The medieval Notre-Dame Cathedral stands in the historic center, while the Art Museum offers modern exhibition spaces. The city includes the Tour Perret, a cylindrical tower building from the 1920s, and the Garage hélicoïdal, a spiral parking structure from the same era. Religious buildings such as Saint-Louis Church and Saint-Bruno Church represent different stylistic periods. The Sainte-Cécile Convent and the Palace of the Parliament of Dauphiné show historic administrative and ecclesiastical architecture. The Bastille fortress overlooks the city and can be reached by cable car from Quai Stéphane Jay. The Hôtel de Lesdiguières and the Old Episcopal Palace document aristocratic residential culture. Paul-Mistral Park forms a large green space containing Lesdiguières Stadium and the Alpexpo conference center. The Saint-Laurent Bridge crosses the Isère River, while the Sainte-Claire market halls house daily commerce. Vizille Castle lies outside the city in the commune of the same name. The Musée dauphinois and the Museum of Resistance and Deportation present regional history, complemented by cultural facilities such as the MC2 cultural center and Le Magasin des horizons.

Top tourist attractions in Grenoble

Grenoble, located in the French Alps, combines mountain scenery with urban architecture. The Bastille fort provides views across the region. The Museum of Grenoble displays French and European art collections. Paul Mistral Park and city gardens offer green spaces. Historic squares and museums document the regional heritage.

Walks around Grenoble, trails and hikes in the countryside

Around Grenoble, the mountains begin at the edge of the sidewalks. It only takes a few steps to leave the streets and reach a path that climbs toward the trees. Here, nature is never far away: it surrounds the city, observes it, invites it out. You climb the Bastille hill, cross the Chartreuse forests, follow the Isère river, or ascend toward the cliffs of the Petites Roches. The trails follow one another and are not alike: some are gentle, others more athletic, but all offer the same feeling of space and light. Between hikes, you discover parks, gorges, plateaus, and villages hanging over the valley. Grenoble lives to the rhythm of the seasons, hikers, and the wind in the pines. It is a city oriented towards the mountains, where each step takes you a little higher.

Photo locations and views in Grenoble

Grenoble offers numerous photography locations, from the Saint-Laurent Bridge over the Isère River to the Bastille fortress at 476 meters elevation. The city center includes the Victor Hugo square, the Dauphiné Parliament Palace from 1500, and the modern glass Museum. The medieval Saint-Laurent district presents stone houses along narrow streets. Parks and gardens provide natural settings with Alpine views.

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stephren
@stephren

May 16, 2025 09:25

symbolic of the city of Grenoble!

jeff
@jeff

Mar 27, 2025 20:09

A must-see in the Grenoble region for a stunning view from the Bastille!

« Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car: Urban cable car in Grenoble, France » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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