Grenoble's Bubble Cars and Bastille

As you might have seen on my Instagram page, a couple of weeks ago me and the boyfriend had a little day trip to Grenoble.  One of the best things about moving to Lyon has been how easy it's been to explore the cities around me.  As well as getting to know Lyon better (like the Parc de la Tete d'Or) I've been to Marseille where it was lovely and sunny.  Now we have this and things to go in Grenoble...

Grenoble is about an hour and twenty minutes away from Lyon on the train - and it was nice and quiet unlike the train to Marseille which was packed.  

It's known as the Capital of the Alpes, which meant it was a nice change to Lyon's landscape.  Grenoble is quite a small city but there was plenty to keep us busy for the day.  I wasn't feeling too well so we could have probably done more things if I was feeling better so I'm sure you could pack more in if you were fighting fit.  

The main attraction in Grenoble is The Bastille,

But the fun thing about The Bastille is the Bubble Cars that you get up to The Bastille!  

Everyone loves a good cable car trip and this trip is especially designed to give you an amazing view of the river and the mountains around you.  You really must do it if you are in  Grenoble! 

It's really affordable - about 7EU for a return trip if you are an adult and around the 5EU mark if you are a student.  Which I think is super worth while!  You can catch the cable car from Quai Stephane Jay which is a really easy walk from the station.

Once your on the cars - which took quite a while for us since there was quite a big queue and there are only five cars which usually only take five or six people at a time - you are in for a good ride.  The trip lasts for 3-4 minutes and in that time you climb up 260 metres up to the Bastille. 

When you arrive at the top there is loads to do and explore, if you like walking or hiking then you are definitely in for a treat.  As well as that you can visit the museum (which we didn't do) or eat at one of the two restaurants, which we also didn't do because we brought snacks up with us and then wanted to eat in the city.  Aren't I jut the worst reviewer ever? 

It would be great to go to the restaurants at night, have dinner, then take in the city lights (which we did before we headed back down) and then get the late night bubble car back down the mountain.

When most people get off the cable car they turn right to start exploring but if you turn right you will find an awesome viewing point to see across the city.  Look, seriously beautiful!  I also shot a look up here which I'll publish soon. 

My main recommendation for the Bastille is to go explore the tunnels underground!  It's really fun but be warned the ground is really rough and I fell over once.  There are also is loads of steps which is fun to explore but if you struggle physically then you will struggle.  But it was really cool to walk around. 

Then we headed back down the mountain, wandered around a few shops and had dinner in a French place which was cheap and okay.  Not the best but not the worst and I can't remember their name.  I did get a ridiculous sized bowl of hot chocolate though so that was good.  I needed something to warm me up after a chilly day! 

By that time it was home time and we walked back to the station- although we did wander into a protest / march as well so had to kinda duck away to avoid that.  

Have you been to Grenoble?  What did you do?  I'd love to go back for longer than a day!