Seeking ideas for a week vacation, solo, starting from Grenoble, France in late July
 

I will be in Grenoble, France for business. I have a week to travel alone afterwards (july 25-aug. 2). I was looking for some suggestions on places to go. I have been to Paris many times before and would like to do something different. Any ideas? I can rent a car or take the trains. Thanks in advance for your help.

from your other posting, I'll also suggest a river cruise.
Uniworld offers several, including one 7 day cruise that my friend took between Lyon and Nice. My friend said the boat was beautiful, the food excellent, and all land sightseeing was included. They also have Danube trips.

thanks. someone else told me to repost. i will check into that.

I've heard such good things about Annecy, which isn't very far from Grenoble; I'd plan to spend a day or so there. I've never been there but hope to do so my next trip to France. It is a lakeside town, with panoramic views of the Alps. There's been lots written about it on here if you want some firsthand info.

In 1990 (before I wrote trip reports) I was staying in the Alps and drove down to Lyon. Wonderful city - I stayed on a pedestrian only street right off the main square (at least I think it was), picked up the hotel from the tourist bureau, took a tour on the Rhone/Soane (excellent) and a city tour. Stayed 2 nights and then drove to Annecy which was very picturesque. Back then, my only disappointment was the food. Since Lyon is noted for their food I finally figured out you have to spend a lot to get the really good food. However, I was pretty ignorant at that time about restaurants. I had hoped we'd get to Grenoble but it was too far out of way.

I answered in your other thread.

Annecy is really a nice destination for a day from Grenoble, and you can devote 2 days in Lyon. If you are taking the plane in Paris, you should stop in Lyon before and take the TGV directly to the airport from there


Celine

There are direct trains from Grenoble to both Geneva and to Lyon and indirect trains to Annecy via Aix les Bains. Annecy is idealic, close and really lovely. It's just under 2 hrs. by train from Grenoble. Mt. Blanc (Chamonix) is another close destination (but I've only been from Grenoble to Mt. Blanc by car).

Another consideration is to go from Grenoble by train to Geneva, then hit some of the neat little towns along Lac Leman (i.e. Montreux, Lausanne, Vevey, Morges, etc.), which will be wonderful at the time you will be going.

Grenoble itself is a wonderful town and you should take the ride up to the Bastille, visit Parc Mistral, and Place Grenette. And do ride the very quiet (although no a/c) trams.