Grenoble

The egg lifts at the top of the Bastille 

Thursday of this past week (June 9^th) we took an after-class day trip to Grenoble, France.  We hopped on a bus at 1 (when class ends) and it was only about an hour to get there.  Just to make this clear up-front – I definitely want to go back some day.  Grenoble was awesome.

Upon arriving, we went to visit the Bastille.  Now, this is a different Bastille than the one that was stormed in the French Revolution, but it is a similar type of place.  It is a huge fortress built into the side and top of a mountain.  Now it houses two museums, a restaurant, and plenty of places to view the city and take photos.  We even saw a group of guys at the top gearing up to repel down the mountain!

The view from the Bastille was great!

We got to the top by taking the “eggs.”  They were awesome glass sphere sky lifts that run continuously up and down to the Bastille.  It was great because, since the entire thing is glass, we could see all around us – including straight down!  My friend who is afraid of heights even enjoyed herself.

The Bastille has to be the best place to see the city.  The views were breath-taking!  We took plenty of photos, and generally just soaked up the sight.  These photos don’t do it justice, but they will give you an idea, at least.

In the eggs again, ready to go down

After researching the city the night before we went, we decided to catch a Chagall exhibit at the city art museum with the rest of our day.  That was also great!  The exhibit was nice, but the rest of the museum was incredible, housing works that we would make a huge deal about in the states.  There were 3 Matisse pieces and 3 Picassos which I was sure not to miss.  They gave me the chills – it is amazing to think that Picasso handled the exact same canvas, 3 inches from my nose.  Jon and I looked for a Cezanne that was mentioned on the museum’s website, but to no avail.  I’m glad that we chose an art museum for our time – I geek out about that stuff.  Also, I’m missing a great opportunity to geek out about art in the states while I’m in France, so I feel like this museum made up for it (almost). 

Jon and Andy's "Cafe de Paris for
dinner.  It was an experience!

It was our friend Jon’s 21^st birthday, so when we got home, we went out for dinner and for a couple drinks.  It was a nice end to a wonderful day.

It was a great time, and I’d definitely go back to Grenoble!  But for now, I’m blogging and sun-bathing on a French beach.  I can stay put for now.  J