a city in southeastern France, in the province of Dauphiné. It is picturesquely situated in the valley of the Isère River, near its juncture with the Drac River; it is surrounded by mountains. Administrative center of the department of Isère. Population, 162,000 (1968). Grenoble is an important transportation center and has electrotechnical, chemical, paper, food, and glove industries. There are large hydroelectric stations near the city. Grenoble has a university and an institute for nuclear research. It is a center for mountaineering and winter sports. The X Winter Olympic Games took place in Grenoble in 1968.
Fort Rabeau (15th century) is situated on the hill above the right bank of the Isère. The narrow streets of the old quarter of the city, rich with architectural monuments, lie next to broad highways and spectacular buildings of the mid-20th century. Some of Grenoble’s ancient monuments are the crypt of Saint Laurent (late eighth century), the Cathedral of Notre Dame (llth-13th centuries), the Church of Saint André (13th century), the Palace of Justice (15th and 16th centuries), and the town hall (16th century). Modern points of interest in Grenoble include the New Town Hall (architect, M. Novarin), the Palace of Exhibitions (architects, C. and J. Pruvé), the Palace of Culture (architect, A. Wogenscky), and residential areas interesting for architectural and spatial reasons. The Ice Palace (designed by R. Demartini and P. Junillon) and the Olympic village (designed by M. Novarina) were built for the Winter Olympic Games of 1968. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Stendhal Museum are located in Grenoble.