As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the every least, an interesting read.
Sweet tooth
Maison Gonzalez serves the most amazing ice cream. They make all their own flavors onsite and unusual flavors like garlic, basil, thyme, licorice, Chartreuse (local liquor), spice cake, and lavender. But if you want to stick to the conventional flavors, they serve those as well.
If the glove fits
Grenoble use to have a huge glove making industry. In 1834 Xavier Jouvin of Grenoble, invented the cutting die that made it possible to make gloves of a precise size. The CEA office in Grenoble is located in the same historic building where this process was invented.
Not for the low carb dieter
Must have - local specialty called Gratin Dauphinois. It’s a delicious potato dish baked with cream and garlic. Try the bar- restaurant “1900”- located at Place Notre Dame- for a great gratin, which is usually served with their “plat du jour”.
Not your parents fondue set
If the weather is cool enough, fondue is a fun treat. Try “A Confess” located just down the street from the CEA office on rue Saint Laurent.
Fly, fly away
Lyon and Annecy are great places to visit…so are Dublin, London, Rome, Amsterdam and Warsaw! Day trips to Lyon or Annecy are fun and affordable direct from Grenoble’s local train station. With Grenoble’s St- Geoirs airport offering low fare flights, fly to a variety of European cities for next to nothing.
What a view
Ride to the top of the Bastille, an ancient fortress overlooking Grenoble, on “les bulles” to view Grenoble from above. Lined with red roofs and the surrounding Alps the view is spectacular.
Say Cheese
Grenoble has many cheese shops, but two exceptional addresses should not be missed. The award winning “Les Alpages” on rue Strasbourg is well known throughout the region. The “Laiterie Bayard” on rue Bayard is another respected shop that offers a wide selection of gourmet cheeses. They also sell wine and are experts at pairing wines with cheeses.
Greetings
On an etiquette note, it’s nice and proper to always say bonjour and au revoir when leaving or entering a shop. You get a lot more smiles and assistance when you make the initial greeting. It is a sign of respect to the shopkeepers.
