About Grenoble

What you need/might like to know before coming to Grenoble!

Grenoble, with a population of over 450 000 people, is nestled in the mountains at 214 m above sea level; a town surrounded on all sides by mountains making for superb views either from above or below with regional parks, such as the Chartreuse and the Vercors protecting this natural heritage. So either in summer or winter the views are astounding. (We dare you to disagree!)

Grenoble: An international hub for Business

With a solid industrial network, Grenoble is known for it’s technological prowess, thanks to world class research institutes (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, CEA, Neutron ILL reactor, INRIA..), international groups (Schneider, Caterpillar, HP to name but a few) and to innovating start-ups, strongly encouraged by regional incubators. Grenoble is a major, world-wide centre for electronics, information and communications technology. MINATEC, with its ambition to become Europe’s top centre for innovation and expertise in micro and nanotechnology was inaugurated in 2006 (4000 employees). The computer industry in Grenoble comprises computer manufacturers and software developers. Grenoble is also well represented in the network and telecommunications business, thanks to several major groups, numerous dynamic start-ups and several important research centre HP, Bull, CapGemini, Sun Microsystems, Xerox Research Centre Europe, INRIA, and universities (INP Grenoble and UJF). So all in all an interesting place to come to visit and network

Practical Information

Emergency Services

• Ambulance: 15
• Fire: 18
• Police: 17

Money: in France, the currency is the EURO

In France, most banks offer withdrawal services for VISA cards (ATMs), though commission will be taken for each transaction by your bank so think to either bring travelers cheques or change some cash either before or on arrival.

For travelers cheques you will need ID to cash them (possible at post office see details below.

Weather

The climate is variable, the mountains retaining the heat in summer – around 30° and cold in winter – which is good news for the ski lovers among us for keeping the snow as long as possible! So in summer make sure you pack lightweight clothes and in winter don’t hesitate for a nice warm coat, gloves, scarf and hat!

Telephone

Now with the predominance of mobile phones, public telephones are less widespread and frequently necessitate phone cards instead of coins. Cards can be bought in local “tabacs” (tobacconists/paper shops) - they cost either 7.50€ for 50 units or 15€ for 120 units.

PC/ internet/ Wi-Fi

The GEM building is equipped with WIFI throughout the building; you will be given access on arrival with a code for connexion. In the accommodation, internet access is often available but is a paying service.

Building opening times

The Grenoble Ecole de Management building is open from to 07h00 to 22h30 from Monday to Friday and from 8h00 to 18h30 on Saturdays. There is a coffee shop in the school open from 07h45 – they serve coffee and beverages all day and also have a dish of the day, sandwiches and basic salads.

Health

Pharmacies/ Chemists

Antibiotics Many products will not be delivered without a prescription, however many basic remedies are available over the counter

Health insurance is absolutely essential, costs can be important if hospital care necessary.

Hospitals

• Hôpital Nord, Boulevard de la Chantourne, La Tronche
• Tram Line B, near the University campus (Tel: 04 76 76 75 75)
• Clinique Mutualiste, 8-12 rue Docteur Calmette, Grenoble (Tel: 04 76 70 70 37)

Dentists

Dr Nuala Carney, 19 avenue Alsace Lorraine (English) (Tel: 04 76 87 75 38)

Post Office Chavant

7 Bd Maréchal Lyautey, Grenoble (Tel: 04 76 43 51 39)

• Open week days 8h-19h, on Saturday 8h-12h
• Stamps, postal services and for cashing travelers cheques
• Letter boxes are yellow and they normally have two slots – one for local letters to send within Grenoble/Isère and the other for abroad (l’étranger)!

Shopping

Opening times in France: open in Grenoble from 10h,many shops close between 12h and 2h to enjoy a leisurely lunch, closing times are generally around 19h. However supermarkets and hypermarkets tend to have more extensive opening hours and are open at lunch times

Cinemas – films in original language (VO = Version originale)

• La Nef, 18 bd Edouard Rey (Tel: 04 76 46 53 25)
• Le Club, 9 bis rue du Palanstere (Tel: 04 76 87 46 21)
• Le Méliès, 3 rue de Strasbourg (Tel: 04 76 47 99 31)

For information and programs please visit www.cinema-grenoble.com

Alternatively, you can find cinema listings as well as details of the week’s events in the following weekly publications, which can both be found in the reception area at GEM and are free of charge.

• Le Petit Bulletin
• Sortir

Transport

SNCF Train Station

SNCF Train Station (Tel: 08 36 35 35 35)

• High speed train (TGV) Grenoble-Paris in 3hr – 7 trains every day
• Grenoble Gare SNCF -: Tel : + (33) (0)8.92.35.35.35 (registration)

Airports

Two nearby airports:

• Lyon St Exupéry International Airport (Tel : 08 26 80 08 2)
  (1 hour from Grenoble)
  Taxi costs: approx. 140 € to Grenoble
• St Geoirs (Grenoble) Airport (45 minutes from Grenoble) (Tel: 04 76 65 48 48)
  Cheap flights to European destinations (winter season 2006/7 dates and destinations subject to change)
• Nordic – fly to Stockholm (4hrs)
• Sky Europe – fly to Prague (2hr)
• Ryanair – fly to :Bruxelles, Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow and Dublin
• Blu Express – fly to Rome
• Easyjet – fly to Bristol
• Thomsonfly – fly to Coventry and Bournemouth

Rent a Car

You can also rent a car, be careful to take out adequate insurance

• “Au tiers” means third party only
• “Tous risques” means a more comprehensive coverage –all risks

By car - distance from Grenoble:

• Lyon: 100 km
• Geneva: 145 km
• Torino: 240 km
• Nice: 330 km
• Paris: 570 km
• Barcelona: 625 km

Bus Service

By Bus: Gare Routière (Coach & Bus Station) (Tel: 04 76 87 90 31)

Place de la Gare (next to the train station) 04

Grenoble Tourism Office

Office du Tourisme de Grenoble
14 rue de la République
Tel: 04 76 42 41 41

For information about Grenoble and its region, don’t hesitate to consult this site (in English!) http://www.grenoble-isere-tourisme.com/english/

Depending on when you visit, take advantage of the mountains, easy access for skiing or hiking, ideas on the tourist board’s web sites as well as information about transport.

Grenoble is known for being a capital for nuts – walnuts, a traditional product is the Vin du Noix – nut wine, Chartreuse – elixirs created by the monks and still produced in Voiron – possible to visit the fabrication – free guided tours (headsets available in English)

Eating Out:

We shall give you a restaurant guide on arrival in Grenoble so as to give you some ideas of where to start and the price range and specialties.

• Opening hours: be careful restaurants are not always open every day, especially Sundays and Mondays
• Lunch times are usually from 12 – 2h the French like to have a leisurely lunch and often have a 2 hour lunch break (a common working day is often from 8-19h).
• Dinner – service usually starts as of 19h, final orders are often no later than 21h.
• Restaurants make recommendations and often have menus with dish of the day
• Menu du jour: Today’s Menu, Plat du jour – main course are often better value than dishes on the main menu.
• Entrée, plat et dessert – starter, main course and dessert
• Tipping in restaurants is not obligatory.

Markets

• Marché St Bruno – just behind the school Clothes, food and sundry goods.
  Tuesday to Sunday from 6h00 to 13h00, and all day Friday.
• Marché de l’estacade – avenue de Vizille – every morning until midday – fresh food and produce market
• Les Halles Ste-Claire - 38000 Grenoble
  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 6h00 to 13h00.Friday and Saturday till 19h00.

Museums

Musee De Grenoble
5, place de Lavalette - 38 000 Grenoble
Tel: 04.76.63.44.44.

The Grenoble Art Gallery (Musée de Grenoble) is one of France’s most prestigious outside Paris, for its collections of ancient art as well as of modern and contemporary art.
Opening times:

• Daily from 10.00 to 18.30 (except Tuesdays)
• The Museum is closed the 1st January, 1st may and 25th December.
• Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 15.00.

Musee Dauphinois
30, rue Maurice-Gignoux - 38 031 Grenoble Cedex
Tel: 04.76.85.19.01.
Fax: 04.76.87.60.22.
E-mail: musee.dauphinois@cg38.fr

The Musée Dauphinois is a true regional museum of mankind, aimed at preserving, promoting and handing down the memories of the communities that lived in the old province of Dauphiné. Its regularly updated exhibitions portray all the Dauphinois people, well-known or ordinary, who shaped the region.

Opening times:

• FREE ENTRANCE
• Every day except Tuesday: From 1 October to 30 May from 10.00 to 18.00.
• From 1 June to 30 September from 10.00 to 19.00.
• Closed on: 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

Places of interest to visit

Caves De La Grande Chartreuse
10, boulevard Edgar Kofler - B.P. 102 - 38503 Voiron Cedex France
Tel: 04.76.05.81.77.
Fax: 04.76.66.19.35.
Email: chartreuse@chartreuse.fr

Chartreuse is the longest liqueur cellar in the world, discover a 3D film about the history and the work of the Carthusian Fathers, in a new projection room.

Free guided tour and tasting.

Open seven days a week from Easter to All Saints' day with tours from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and from 14:00 to 18:30 p.m.

Between All Saint's day and Easter open Monday through Friday (except for national holidays) with tours from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and from 14:00 to 17:30 p.m.

During July and August, non-stop tours from 9:00 to 18:30 p.m.

Chemin De Fer De La Mure
Tel: 0.892.391.426.
Fax: 04.76.735.736.
E-mail : trainmure@aol.com

30 km of railway built right into the mountain side, 142 bridges and earthworks, 18 tunnels, 122 bends revealing breathtaking views. All on board for nearly two hours of surprises and thrills!

Commissioned in 1889 after four years of gigantic work, the narrow-gauge railway is used today for the pleasure of tourists. The former coal train, winding its way between the mountains, high above gorges and lakes, is a real time machine.

La Bastille
Either walks up to the old fortress or takes the “lazy” way up, called “the eggs” in Grenoble!
Also, enjoy yourself by wandering around the “old town” in Grenoble and admire the architecture