Musée de l'Ancien Évêché
Musée de l'Ancien Évêché, Historical museum in central Grenoble, France.
The Musée de l'Ancien Évêché is a history museum in central Grenoble housed in a remarkable building. The structure blends a medieval episcopal palace with modern elements of glass, steel, and concrete that connect different time periods together.
The building began as a bishop's palace in the 13th century and later served administrative purposes. Underground lies a baptistery from the 3rd or 4th century, revealing how long Christianity has been present at this location.
The museum displays regional objects and artworks that tell the story of the Isère over thousands of years. Visitors encounter everyday items alongside valuable pieces that reflect local identity and heritage.
The location is central and the building is easy to reach. Visitors should check opening times and allow time to explore both the basement areas and the contemporary exhibition spaces.
Inside is a painted ceiling from the 13th century showing scenes from a medieval romance story. These rare wall paintings are remnants of a reception hall and offer a glimpse into the artistic tastes of that era.
Location: Grenoble
Inception: 1998
Official opening: 1998
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Operator: Département de l'Isère
Address: 2 Rue Très Cloîtres, 38000 Grenoble, France
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-18:00; Wednesday 13:00-18:00; Saturday,Sunday 11:00-18:00; January 01,May 01,December 25 off
Phone: +33476031525
Website: https://musees.isere.fr/musee/musee-de-lancien-eveche
GPS coordinates: 45.19283,5.73165
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
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.
Grenoble sits in the Isère River valley, surrounded by three mountain ranges in the French Alps. The city combines alpine landscape with urban infrastructure and serves as a base for exploring the surrounding mountain regions. The Fort de la Bastille, accessible via a historic cable car, provides views over the city and valleys. Parc Paul Mistral covers 52 acres (21 hectares) in the city center and includes sports facilities and green spaces. The Musée de Grenoble displays European artworks from the 13th century to the present, including French painting and modern art. The Musée Dauphinois documents regional history and alpine culture. The Musée de l'Ancien Évêché focuses on local history from the Middle Ages to the present. Place Saint-André forms the historic center with medieval architecture, while Place Grenette serves as a central market square. Château de Vizille, located 9 miles (15 kilometers) south, was the site of the 1788 assembly and now houses a museum on the French Revolution. The Grottes de Sassenage, prehistoric limestone caves on the city outskirts, offer guided tours through underground galleries.
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.
Museum of Grenoble
195 m
Grenoble Cathedral
58 m
Cularo
103 m
Palais du parlement du Dauphiné
253 m
Passerelle Saint Laurent
246 m
Fountain of the three orders, Grenoble
66 m
Couvent des Minimes de Grenoble
143 m
Halle Sainte-Claire
236 m
Statue of Bayard in Grenoble
249 m
Couvent Sainte-Cécile de Grenoble
245 m
Vestiges of the Gallo-Roman wall, Grenoble
35 m
Tour de l'Isle
253 m
Chapelle Sainte-Marie-d'en-Bas
185 m
Birthplace of Stendhal
268 m
Citadel bridge
279 m
Tour de Sassenage
123 m
Hôtel d'Ornacieux
80 m
Hôtel de François Marc
122 m
Ancien évêché de Grenoble
44 m
Ramparts of Grenoble
282 m
Chapelle des dauphins
247 m
Hôtel Pierre Bucher
51 m
Caserne Vinoy
228 m
Immeuble, 14 rue Chenoise
99 m
Hôtel 10 rue Chenoise
99 m
Immeuble, 9 rue Chenoise
93 m
Chapelle du couvent Sainte-Cécile de Grenoble
238 m
Hôtel du Bouchage
237 mReviews
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