Grenoble's position at the meeting point of three Alpine valleys makes it an excellent base for day trips. The mountains are the obvious draw — skiing in winter, hiking and biking to mountain lakes in summer — but you are also within striking distance of Lyon, Geneva, and even Turin.
Mountain lakes. Lac Achard and Lac Robert are less than an hour away and offer stunning Alpine scenery. In summer, you can cycle from Grenoble through the countryside to reach them.
Ski resorts. L'Alpe d'Huez, Les Deux Alpes, and Chamrousse are all accessible by bus from Grenoble. The Transisère buses run regularly during ski season.
Chartreuse. The Chartreuse massif north of Grenoble is superb for hiking and is home to the monastery where the famous liqueur is still produced. You can visit the Caves de la Chartreuse in Voiron, about 25 km from the city.
Lyon. An hour and a half by TER train, Lyon is France's gastronomic capital and has a magnificent old town, excellent museums, and a vibrant food scene.
Geneva. About 90 minutes by car, Geneva offers lakeside parks, the Jardin Anglais with its floral clock, and the International Reformation Monument.
Turin. Two hours by car or train, Turin has over a hundred museums, baroque architecture, and the famous Egyptian Museum — the largest outside Cairo.