Getting to the Bastille in Grenoble, France

My first day in Grenoble, it was a bit misty and rainy; there were even some light snow flurries. I was still committed to getting out there and capturing the city, and I couldn’t wait.

I spent the whole day walking around, taking photos, videos, etc., and it wasn’t until the day was almost over that I realized I had basically been walking around in circles.

Day two started off the same. I got up early at sunrise. I knew I had been walking around in circles basically the whole first day, but for some reason when I started exploring again, I couldn’t get out of the same loops. My turns kept taking me back to the same locations.

At around 10am I got in the bubbles to head up to the Bastille, and it’s at that point that this new blog post begins, as the last blog post ends with me getting into the bubbles and starting my ride up to the Bastille.

Into the Bubbles

Around 10 a.m., I got in the bubbles to head up to the Bastille, and that’s where this new blog post begins—as the last one ends with me starting the ride.

Continuing my way inside this time capsule from the past into my near future, it became increasingly apparent how little of the city I had really explored so far.

Being inside the bubbles themselves is a pretty cool experience. The funicular service is over 90 years old, and the current Grenoble bubbles have been running for more than 40 years.

➡️ Helpful tip: If you ever get the chance to ride them, make sure to grab the seats facing back toward the city for the best view as you climb.

Reaching the Bastille

After a few minutes, I reached the Bastille and started exploring. The viewpoint overlooking the city, with the surrounding mountains and the valley in between, is honestly amazing. This is one of those places I could easily return to again and again.

I’d love to see this view at sunrise and sunset during each season—to see the colors of the trees change, to be awed by the snow-capped mountains. It’s a view that makes you want to sit, slow down, and just reflect.

What To See Around the Bastille

Grottes de Mandrin
These are some cool caves near the top, named after the 18th-century bandit Louis Mandrin. No one’s really sure if he actually used them, but they’re still a fun stop with a bit of mystery and local legend.

Croix de Quinsonas
A short hike (about 2km loop with 200m or so elevation) gets you to this beautiful cross and an incredible viewpoint. Definitely worth it for the views over the city and valley.

Vestiges de la Cimenterie
Old cement plant ruins tucked into the hillside. It’s got that gritty, overgrown vibe that makes for great photos—especially if you’re into industrial history stuff.

Other Hiking Options
If you don’t take the bubbles down, you’ve got a couple of other nice trails. The Porte de France path or the Mont Jalla trail will take you to spots like Croix de Quinsonas or Grottes de Mandrin. All pretty chill and full of good views.

A Bit of History
The funicular has been running for over 90 years, and the bubbles themselves have been in action for more than 40. The area is also rich in military history, featuring old fortress paths and memorials along the way, including one that honors Lt. Fiancey, a WWII resistance fighter.

I wandered around, taking as many wide and detailed shots as I could. I had my Canon 70-200 f2.8 Mk III on my new R5 Mk II, which let me get some nice long shots of rooftops, streets, and facades lining the Isère River.

It was still overcast, so everything looked a little flat. At that distance, I knew I’d need to do a bit of post-production work to get the images to pop. But I kept shooting from different vantage points—because you never know, ya know?

By around 11 a.m., I figured it was time to head down. Knowing myself, it would take over an hour, since I’d probably stop to explore along the way.

Getting Down From the Bastille

There are three main ways to descend:

I took the Saint-Laurent trail since I wanted to check out parts of the old fort, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The tricky part with walks like this as a travel photographer is that the trail zigzags down the hill. I took plenty of photos from the top, and by the next point down, the view was technically different… but not that different. Still, I snapped a few, just for the hell of it. Why not? I wasn’t in a hurry.

I might as well have been a mobile Google Street View guy. Hikers and runners were cruising past me while I moved at my calm pace: “Click…click…click.”

Needless to say, I was enjoying myself. Alone, but content, and enjoying the view. It reminded me of places I’d been before. The mix of locals and tourists on the trail felt a bit like Runyon Canyon in LA. Not because the nature looks the same, but because the vibe was similar. If I lived in Grenoble, I’d totally run or hike this trail regularly.

A Quick Note on Shoes

At some point, I realized how impressed I was with my shoes. Those are actually Sk8 Hi Mte 2 Olive. I hadn’t worn Vans in years, even though I used to skate 10–11 years when I was younger.

On my last trip to California, I stopped into a Vans store out of curiosity and ended up walking out with this green pair meant for colder weather—even snow. They weren’t the heavy-duty hiking version, but still super solid.

They’re high-tops, which I had never owned before, and somehow they were warm, comfortable, and perfect for this random hike in Grenoble. Even the stock Vans insoles held up. I was surprised… and thankful.

Along the trail, I saw some great views of the river bridges. One shot in particular aligned perfectly with a street that leads into the old town, so I had to take it.

You also get to pass through parts of the old fortress—narrow stone staircases, super atmospheric. These parts can get crowded since they’re only wide enough for one person, but I lucked out and had them mostly to myself.

As I got back to city level, I came across a church that made me pause. Hanging outside were over a hundred shirts, strung up like laundry. I joked to myself it was maybe just the world’s most efficient drying system. The real reason? Check it out here. 

By then it was around 1 p.m., and I was starving. I started scouting for places that would be open longer than the typical 90-minute French lunch window. After some searching, I found an amazing Greek spot that honestly ended up being one of the highlights of the trip.

Stay tuned for Part 3 – where lunch gets its own well-deserved spotlight. In the third post, I take you beyond Grenoble’s center to explore its street art, neighborhoods, and hidden corners on a 30,000-step walk.