DESCRIPTION
Grenoble, France is located in the French Alps, and the mountains not only provide a natural backdrop for the city, but are the heart of most of the tourist activities here. Three mountain peaks dominate the skyline – Chartreuse, Vercors and Belledone. During the colder months, when snow is plentiful, skiers come to Grenoble for its Olympic-quality slopes (the city hosted the 1968 Olympic winter sports.) There are three ski destinations within easy range of the city, and some of the best slopes are found at Haute-Savoie. When the thaw comes and the snow melts, summer tourists take to the same slopes for hiking and climbing. The city itself has plenty of sites for visitors, including castles, museums and cathedrals, and the most-popular Palace of the Dauphins in its Renaissance style.