What to see and do

÷ RIDE ‘THE BUBBLES’

GRENOBLE’S cable car opened in 1934 and was updated in 1976 with five distinctive circular pods nicknamed Les Bulles (‘The Bubbles’), each carrying six passengers. They’ve become a city symbol, and this fun ride glides up to the Bastille fortifications. At the top, there’s a restaurant ( o2-restaurant.fr) and the Museum of French Mountain Troops ( museedestroupesdemontagne. fr). Return tickets £8.

■ PIECE DE LA RESISTANCE

THE Resistance and Deportation Museum tells the story of the strong local Resistance movement during World War II, plus the horrific events of the Holocaust. Grainy pictures feature Resistance leaders, many of whom were captured, while sections on concentration camps are harrowing. (free entry, grenobletourisme.

■ VIVA LA REVOLUTION!

LEARN about Grenoble’s part in the events of the 1780s at the Museum of the French Revolution in the town of Vizille, a 30minute bus ride south of the centre. The museum is within a fabulous 14th-century chateau.

■ GO ÷ GO FOR A HIKE OR CLIMB

FINE half-hour hikes are to be had above the cable car near the Bastille — and for those feeling daring there’s a via ferrata (climbing route). It’s suited to beginners but ‘may give you a bit of a vertigo feeling’; guided trips £39 ( www.vertical-aventure.com/en).

■ A TIPPLE OR TWO

GET lost among the labyrinthine lanes of the old town popping into jolly little bars serving good value wines (£3.40 a glass) and draft beers (£4.10 for a half litre). litre) Don’t miss the fun Le Tonneau de Diogene, with 24 draught beers and accompanying saucisson/ bread boards (£ 5.60); 6 Place Notre Dame.

■ BUY SOME ANTIQUES … AND GLOVES

GRENOBLE is the former glove-making capital of France, but now there’s only one artisan left: Gant Lesdiguieres, founded 1885, has exquisite leather gloves from £77 ( ganterie-grenoble.fr). Also explore the cluster of city centre antique shops.