Place Grenette (Grenette Square), Grenoble
Grenette Square has been the beating heart of Grenoble鈥檚 city life since the 17th century. Originally a marketplace for grains and livestock, the square quickly became a vital hub for trade and community gatherings. Its central role in city life has endured for centuries, evolving into a lively meeting place filled with shops, caf茅s, and a steady stream of pedestrians.
Architecturally framed by 19th-century fa莽ades, the square offers both locals and visitors a welcoming, open-air retreat. One of its standout features is the elegant Lavalette Fountain, built in 1825 from Sassenage stone and decorated with cherubs and dolphins鈥攕ymbols of the Dauphin茅 region.
The square also holds historical significance tied to Napoleon Bonaparte. On March 9, 1815, during his dramatic return from exile on Elba, Napoleon reviewed his troops here before continuing on to Lyon, marking Place Grenette as a backdrop to a pivotal moment in French history. Today, the square continues to host major city events, from bustling outdoor markets to the festive Grenoble Christmas market in winter.
Grenette Square offers a vibrant dining scene at its heart, where caf茅s and restaurants line the pedestrian square, catering to a variety of tastes and experiences. Outdoor terraces spring to life during warmer months, providing a relaxed setting for enjoying French classics, light snacks, or local wines amid the buzz of passersby. Favorites include La Fabryk, a cozy caf茅-brasserie known for its welcoming atmosphere, and Island Pok茅, offering fresh, customizable poke bowls just steps from the iconic Lavalette Fountain. For a casual drink or tapas, Caf茅 Leffe offers a laid-back option with charcuterie and cheese plates.
Surrounded by a variety of shops, visitors can explore everything from high-end boutiques to quirky independent stores, catering to diverse tastes and budgets. The square is also home to the renowned Galeries Lafayette department store, offering a wide range of fashion and lifestyle products. For those seeking a sweet treat, H盲agen-Dazs provides a selection of ice creams and pastries in a cozy setting.
Architecturally framed by 19th-century fa莽ades, the square offers both locals and visitors a welcoming, open-air retreat. One of its standout features is the elegant Lavalette Fountain, built in 1825 from Sassenage stone and decorated with cherubs and dolphins鈥攕ymbols of the Dauphin茅 region.
The square also holds historical significance tied to Napoleon Bonaparte. On March 9, 1815, during his dramatic return from exile on Elba, Napoleon reviewed his troops here before continuing on to Lyon, marking Place Grenette as a backdrop to a pivotal moment in French history. Today, the square continues to host major city events, from bustling outdoor markets to the festive Grenoble Christmas market in winter.
Grenette Square offers a vibrant dining scene at its heart, where caf茅s and restaurants line the pedestrian square, catering to a variety of tastes and experiences. Outdoor terraces spring to life during warmer months, providing a relaxed setting for enjoying French classics, light snacks, or local wines amid the buzz of passersby. Favorites include La Fabryk, a cozy caf茅-brasserie known for its welcoming atmosphere, and Island Pok茅, offering fresh, customizable poke bowls just steps from the iconic Lavalette Fountain. For a casual drink or tapas, Caf茅 Leffe offers a laid-back option with charcuterie and cheese plates.
Surrounded by a variety of shops, visitors can explore everything from high-end boutiques to quirky independent stores, catering to diverse tastes and budgets. The square is also home to the renowned Galeries Lafayette department store, offering a wide range of fashion and lifestyle products. For those seeking a sweet treat, H盲agen-Dazs provides a selection of ice creams and pastries in a cozy setting.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Grenoble. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Place Grenette (Grenette Square) on Map
Sight Name: Place Grenette (Grenette Square)
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Grenoble, France
Create Your Own Walk in Grenoble
Creating your own self-guided walk in Grenoble is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Grenoble Introduction Walking Tour
Grenoble, nestled at the foot of the French Alps, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and innovation that appeals to a wide range of visitors. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes and crisscrossed by rivers, making it a gateway for outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and paragliding. At the same time, its compact center is filled with lively squares, pedestrian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles