Page 185 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

FR ANCE  183

d Grenoble
Isère. * 165,000. k £ @ n 14
Rue de la République (04-76 42 41 41).
( Tue–Sun.
Ancient capital of Dauphiné,
Grenoble is a busy and
thriving city, attractively located
at the confluence of the Drac
and Isère rivers, in the shadow
of the mighty Vercors and
Chartreuse massifs.
A cable car from the Quai
Stéphane-Jay, on the north bank
of the Isère, takes you up to the
16th-century Fort de la Bastille,
where you are rewarded with
magnificent views of the city
and surrounding mountains.
From here, paths lead down
through pretty gardens to the
excellent Musée Dauphinois
at the foot of the hill. Housed
in a 17th-century convent, the
museum contains displays on
local history, arts, and crafts.
On the other side of the river,
Cathédrale St-Jean, at the foot of the slopes of Vieux Lyon the focus of life is the Place
Grenette, a lively square lined
The excellent Musée des Beaux attractions of a stay here. Look with sidewalk cafés. Nearby, the
Arts showcases the country’s out for the formidable Palais Place St-André is the heart of
largest and most important de l’Isle, a 12th-century prison the medieval city, overlooked
collection of fine arts after the in the middle of the Thiou canal. by Grenoble’s oldest buildings,
Louvre. The modern works, The turreted Château including the 13th-century
dating from after the mid-1900s, d’Annecy, perched high on Eglise St-André and the
have found a new home in the a hill, affords fine panoramic 15th-century Palais de Justice.
Musée d’Art Contemporain in views. The clear waters of the Also worth visiting is the
the north of the city. An lake are perfect for swimming Musée de Grenoble, the city’s
exquisite display of silks and and watersports. Boat trips leave principal art museum. With
tapestries, some dating back to from the Quai Thiou. works by Chagall, Picasso,
early Christian times, can be and Matisse, the modern
seen in the Musée des Tissus. Environs collection is especially good.
One way to enjoy the area’s
E Musée de la Civilisation spectacular scenery is to take a E Musée de Grenoble
Gallo-Romaine boat to Talloires, a tiny lakeside 5 Place de Lavalette. Tel 04-76 63 44
17 Rue Cléberg. Tel 04-72 38 49 30. village noted for its hotels 44. Open Wed–Mon. Closed Jan 1,
Open Tue–Sun. Closed public hols. and restaurants. May 1, Dec 25. & 8 7
& 7
s Annecy
Annecy. * 51,000. £ @ n 1 Rue
Jean Jaurès (04-50 45 00 33). ( Tue,
Fri–Sun. ∑ lac-annecy.com
Annecy is one of the most
beautiful towns in the Alps,
set at the northern tip of Lac
d’Annecy and surrounded by
snowcapped mountains.
A stroll around the town’s small
medieval quarter, with its canals,
flower-covered bridges, and
arcaded streets, is one of the main Annecy’s 12th-century Palais de I’Isle, on the Thiou canal

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