Important information

Attention please, we’re about to start the climb to the Bastille fort. It’s an ascent on well-maintained paths and steps, with a positive difference in altitude of almost 300 metres. This walk is a true immersion into nature, and the view of the valley is a delightful experience. However, beware, the hike takes some time and is not necessarily accessible to all. Should you choose the hike, please ad an extra 30 to 45 minutes to your tour but take my word for it it’s well worth the effort. The discovery of the Bastille is certainly the most interesting part of the tour and will literally put Grenoble at your feet with a spectacular view. If you don’t want to walk, you can always take the cable car. Alternatively, you can skip it all together by continuing the tour by walking along the Quai Perrière to the Saint Laurent district. From there, take the footbridge back to the city centre. Before moving on, I’d just like to draw your attention to the monument you see on your left in the middle of the road. This is the” Porte de France”. It dates back to 1620, and replaces the old “porte Perrière” in the new fortifications of Bastille Hill, undertaken by Lesdiguières. At the time, the Dauphiné was a free land. The gate took its name from the fact that it overlooked the road leading to France. King Louis XIII of France passed through the gate several times during his visits to Grenoble. This new opening in the rampart was also very convenient for the people of Grenoble, who no longer had to use the steep paths on the hillside to leave the city. Used until the 19th century, it has been the town’s war memorial since 1935. If you wish, take a closer look, the most interesting façade is on the other side, adorned with bas-reliefs and military trophies.