The setting of this alpine city is what truly makes it unique. For a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains, take a ride on the téléphérique, or cable car, to the Fort de la Bastille. From there, explore the hiking trails and the Grottes (caves) that were used as a defense many centuries ago. With a student population of 60,000, Grenoble is an ideal place to learn French. The slower pace of the city and the friendliness of the inhabitants make it easy to practice the language with locals. The city has several museums, numerous parks and plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities (skiing, hiking, biking). For the avid traveler, Grenoble is an excellent starting point for exploration, situated only three hours from Paris by high-speed train and very close to Switzerland and Italy.
Students pursuing their gap year in Grenoble, France will study abroad at the Universite Grenoble Alpes. The Université Grenoble Alpes was established in 1339 and is one of the oldest in Europe. The university is well known for its programs for foreigners learning French, and has welcomed foreign students from all over the world for over 100 years.