The Bastille and Saint-Eynard forts

The Bastille fort, accessible by the famous "bubbles", is "THE" tourist site of Isère not to be missed: fortified areas, Mountain Troops museum, Contemporary Art Center, Acrobastille, Restaurants, breathtaking panoramas.A major tourist attraction in the region, this 19th century military fort welcomes more than 600,000 visitors each year from all over the world. Accessible by cable car, vehicle, on foot or via ferrata, this fortified complex was built to defend Grenoble from a potential enemy who would have come from the Chartreuse. From the summit, discover a breathtaking panorama, day and night.

Rehabilitated between 1991 and 1995 and open to the public, the Saint-Eynard fort offers a beautiful view of the Belledonne massif, the Grésivaudan valley and Grenoble. A permanent exhibition on the life of the garrison at the fort awaits you.The technological evolution of artillery during the 19th century forced the military authorities to review the defensive system at the national level. From then on, the defense of the territory was organized around a series of separate forts that crossed each other. Grenoble's defense, also linked to the creation of the new kingdom of Italy in 1861, was ensured by the forts of Saint-Eynard, Bourcet, Quatre-Seigneurs, Montavie, Mûrier and Comboire, to which were added several artillery batteries such as Quichat and Néron. The fort of St Eynard controlled the roads crossing the Chartreuse, thanks to 25 artillery pieces and a garrison of 477 men.

The public is invited to discover the history of mountain soldiers from their creation to the present day.Six thematic areas are presented: History of the Mountain Troops, Conquering and Surviving in the Mountains, Combat, Living in the Mountains and with the Local Population, Culture and Identity, and Alongside the Mountain Troops. Other themes are presented through temporary exhibits. They focus on the relationship between the military and civilian communities. The Museum: As part of the historic Bastille site, Isere's number one tourist attraction, the Mountain Troops Museum, targets a wide public and families in particular. In a privileged setting, at the heart of an old fortress, the museum offers visitors an experience unique in France, which associates man and the mountain. It is on this alliance that the Mountain Troops are based. A visit to the museum comes as a good complement to that of the Bastille site. Overlooked by the Memorial to the Soldiers of the Mountain 200 metres above, this museum also reminds us that the history of the Bastille and of Grenoble itself is inextricably linked to that of the Mountain Troops. The visit Through its rich collection and innovative layout, the museum offers an attractive visit presenting the history of the Mountain Troops from its foundation to today. Thanks to the audio guide, a multilingual voice will recount the story of this Alpine adventure. The information is presented through a resolutely modern format, unlike that of most traditional military museums, and includes many exceptional objects. A spectacular and realistic scenography totally immerses the visitor in the epic of the mountain soldiers through life size recreations of poignant scenes of military life, such as a World War I trench or a room from the Maginot Line.