A circular loop along the towpath in Grenoble

Start from the Hubert Dubedout tram stop – Maison du Tourisme (lines A and B). For other possible starting points, see the practical information section.

(S/E) Head towards the Tourist Office and turn right into Rue Vicat. Walk along Place Jean Achard, lined with ginkgo biloba trees. One street further on, turn left into Rue de la Liberté, then right. Follow the route of Tram Line A from Place de Verdun and continue straight on to Boulevard Jean Pain.

(1) Cross Boulevard Jean Pain with care. Enter Parc Paul Mistral, turn left onto Allée des Justes. Walk behind the Town Hall, then between the Stade des Alpes and the velodrome, to reach the tram line.

(2) Cross the tram tracks and Avenue de Valmy at the pedestrian crossing and head towards the towpath on the opposite side, slightly to the left, near the banks of the Isère.

(3) Turn left to go under the motorway bridge. Depending on the condition of the riverbanks, follow the path on the embankment or the dirt track. Pass the cemetery, which stretches across both banks of the Isère.

(4) At the Hôpital Nord bridge (Tram B stop), go over or under it depending on the condition of the path. Take a wide bend that takes you almost from north to south as you follow Quai Jongkind around the Île Verte residential area. Take Quai Jongkind at the Museum.

(5) After the museum, turn left to cross Quai Claude Brosse. Follow the car park and Rue Abel Servien, then turn left into Rue de Lionne. Continue along Rue Renauldon, cross diagonally across Place du Marché aux herbes, then Place de Claveyson. Turn left into Grande Rue and emerge at Place Grenette.

(6) Cross the square, then turn left onto Rue Raoul Blanchard. Cross Rue Philis de la Charce and head towards the tram station (S/E).

This is a city walk, even though it takes you out to the banks of the Isère. Any good, clean city shoes suitable for walking will therefore do. However, if you wish to walk closer to the riverbank along the dirt path, walking boots are preferable. Take care near the riverbank. The current is fast; swimming is out of the question. The Isère can become extremely turbulent and dangerous.

The starting point has been set at Hubert Dubedout station – Maison du Tourisme. The extensive public transport network in Grenoble allows you to adjust your start and finish points to suit your preferences.
In particular, it is possible to start at Victor Hugo station, off the route, on lines C1, C3 or C4. From this station, follow Rue Félix Poulat towards Place Grenette, then turn right onto Rue Raoul Blanchard to reach the station marking the point (S/E).

A video of this walk by Bruno Coach 38.

At the start of the route, in autumn, admire the golden ginkgo biloba trees at Place Jean Achard.

(1) Depending on how much time you have and the weather, you can also take a leisurely stroll through Parc Paul Mistral.

(3) The cemetery is densely wooded, with some trees of a respectable age.

Opposite the bridge leading to the museum, just before it (5), lies the Saint Laurent church and museum, which has been continuously occupied since Roman times and is one of Grenoble’s most interesting sites.

(5) The Grenoble Museum houses remarkable permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of great interest.

(6) Place Grenette is one of the liveliest and most picturesque squares in Grenoble, but you can also wander at your leisure through the streets and squares of the old town centre or its surroundings, for example taking the cable car up to La Bastille.

Grenoble is, in any case, a city well worth spending several days exploring.