Discover European Cities: Grenoble, France

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• published: 25 Apr 2014
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This is the first episode of "Discover European Cities" short documentary program that aims to cover unpopular cities in Europe in a short video clip. This program shows quickly main areas in each city visited with popular monuments in the city. Also, Dicover European Cities program will cover each city by less than a 5 minutes video. This video was made using iPad Air camera. Grenoble is a city of around 550,000 inhabitants located in south-eastern France, in the Rhône-Alpes region that encompasses the French Alps. The climate is quite cold in winter, with days of snow almost every year. Summers are known to be hot, as mountains surrounding the town stop any wind. Grenoble is crossed by two rivers, the Drac and the Isère, and is surrounded by three mountain chains, the Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne. History of the city 43 B.C. : Gallo-Roman period ; first mention of Cularo End of the 3rd century (between 286 and 293) Cularo becomes the administrative center of a city 379 : Cularo becomes Gratianopolis, creation of a bishopric 12th century: Grenoble becomes the Dauphins' capital and a co-lordship 1340 : The Delphinal Council moves to Grenoble 1453 : Dauphiné Parliament 1562 : Religious Wars : the city is in the hands of the Protestants 1590 : Duke of Lesdiguières and his successors 1788 : The Parliament rebels : Day of the Tiles and the Vizille Assembly 1793/1794 : Terreur « douce » 1815 : Napoleon and the 100 days, siege of Grenoble 1830 : New city walls and construction of the Bastille fortress 1835 : patent registration for glovemaker Xavier Jouvin's glove punch in Grenoble 1842 : founding of the first cement company of Grenoble (the second oldest in France) 1850 : Grenoble becomes one of the most important glove-making centers in Europe. Cement factories and hydroelectric power continues to develop. Grenoble becomes an industrial capital. 1860 : Military capital of the Alps with barracks 1925 : International Exhibition of Hydroelectric Power and Tourism  1941 à 1944 : World War Two and the Resistance ; Grenoble, capital of the Maquis resistance movement. 1955 : Scientific research and high technology industries ; university 1968 : Winter Olympic Games1987 : Grenoble install the first tramway in the world accessible to disabled people.19994 : Starting of the ESRF (European Radiation Facility) 1990/1995 : creation of the Europole district 1998 : Opening of the Musée de l'Ancien Evêché 2001 : Starting of Pôle-Sud ice ring 2004 : Re-opening of MC:2 2005 : Grenoble signs first contract for adapted tourism in France 2006 : Starting of the new tramaway line: line C 2006 : Starting of the new european scientist complex MINATEC 2008 : opening of the Alps' Stadium 2009 : Grenoble won the National Grand Prize of the eco-neighborhoods with the "quartier de Bonne" area. 2011 : re-opening of the MAG: Archeological Museum of Grenoble Reaching Grenoble Air There are three airports near Grenoble: Grenoble Isère Airport Also known as St Geoirs,is a small low-cost airport. Flights are more frequent in the ski season. easyJet and ryanair and Norwegian Airlines offer flights. Lyon Airport Also known as Saint Exupéry formerly is farther away, about 100 km (1 h by bus, car or train). Geneva Airport Geneva Airport, 157 km from Grenoble, is a usual destination of many flight companies, and can be cheaper than Lyon airport. Car • A41, Geneva 1hour and a half(via Chambery) • A48, Lyon 1 hour • Grenoble can be difficult to navigate by car, but once you get there the "Park and Ride" (parking relais) system operated by Semitag-parking is a good way of getting around. (see trams and buses) Train Several high speed trains (TGV) from SNCF: -Paris to Grenoble directly every day, for a three-hour trip of 640 km. -Lyon (Part-Dieu station) This takes around an 1h15 to 1h30 with the TER (regional trains) -Geneva in Switzerland 2 hours from the Cornavain station in Geneva's center. To eat: -Budget-restaurants: Tacos de Lyon in Sainte-Claire and Tandoori Express. -Average-Restaurants: Restaurants in Place Grenette like Sporting, Au Bureau,and Cafe Laffe -High-end restaurants: Auberge Napoléon, Restaurant L'Epicurien. To sleep: Best Hotel: Le Grand Hotel in rue de la république. Average Hotels: Novotel Hotel, Europole Hotel, and Hotel Ibis.