GETTING AROUND
Bikes, scooters, and more
There are many options for environmentally friendly transport!
Grenoble has a vibrant (even passionate!) bike culture. The city and its suburbs encourage the use of alternative modes of transport, and Grenoble is continuing to promote cycling and develop its network of cycle paths.
- MVELO+, operated by the greater urban authority, is a rental scheme for city bikes of all sizes, as well as foldable bikes, cargo bikes and tandems at reasonable rates from a daily to an annual basis (including a basket, lock and helmet).
Good to know: Under certain conditions, the ILL will subsidise your MVELO+ monthly bike rental or contribute towards bike repair and maintenance.
- Scooters, electric bikes libre-service
DOTTrents electric scooters and bicycles with designated pick-up and drop-off points around the city. Download the app, create an account and book a bike which you can find throughout Grenoble, Meylan and the university campus in St Martin d’Heres.
Dott: https://ridedott.com/ride-with-us/grenoble
Buses and trams
Grenoble has a large network of buses and five tram lines operated by M TAG (Transports de l'Agglomération Grenobloise). The ILL is just a five-minute walk from the terminus of the tram B line, “Grenoble Oxford”, where buses C6, T64 and 54 also stop.
Tickets can be purchased at the tram stops or by texting “1h” to 93123. Monthly passes can be purchased at one of the M Tag Agence de Mobilité.
For more information:
M TAG : www.tag.fr
M Tag network map: https://www.tag.fr/62-plans.htm
Download the smartphone app: tag.fr/appM
Visit an Agence de Mobilité
Centre-Ville: 49-51, avenue Alsace-Lorraine in Grenoble
Train
The train network in France is run by the SNCF and the ILL is located just three trams stops (or a five-minute drive) from the main train station, Grenoble Gares.
TGV: high-speed trains connecting Grenoble to most major French cities
TER: local train service for commuting to suburban towns and cities such as Saint Égrève, Echirolles, Gières, Voiron, Chambery, and Lyon.
For more information
Regional (TER) services https://www.sncf.com/fr/offres-voyageurs/voyager-en-train/ter
SNCF national and international services: https://www.sncf.com/en
Air transportation
Three international airports serve Grenoble:
- Lyon-St Exupéry international airport is located about an hour from Grenoble (90 km) by motorway. Airport express shuttle buses (65 mins) depart from the bus station (Gare routiere) next to Grenoble train station. https://global.flixbus.com
- Geneva international airport is two hours' drive from Grenoble (140 km). You can get there by train (see SNCF above) or by express bus: https://global.flixbus.com
- Grenoble-St. Geoirs is Grenoble’s closest airport (a 40-minute drive or 40km away); however, it is not open to commercial flights all year round. Flights tend to cater to winter ski tourism. Shuttle bus service from the Grenoble bus station is provided by Actibus: https://reservation.actibus.com/navette/
Ride-sharing services are another option with pick-up points set by the driver
Blablacar and buses - www.blablacar.fr
Regional transportation
cars Region (regional buses) link metropolitan Grenoble to suburban areas as well as to North Isère and most rural communes, and unites the former networks Transisere and Carsisere.
More info: https://carsisere.auvergnerhonealpes.fr/en
Bike on board: https://carsisere.auvergnerhonealpes.fr/en/bike-on-board/1009
Transaltitude buses run services from Grenoble to several ski resorts in Isère during the winter: https://www.transaltitude.fr/en/
Good to know: Certain buses are equipped with bike carriers
Carpooling, ride sharing networks
There are several carpooling networks to choose from depending on where you live. For most, you sign up online and search for your journey or post a request.
- Local ridesharing
Covoiturage 38 - operates in Grenoble and its suburbs
Covoiturage Caesug – Operates in the Presqu’ile Scientifique (includes ILL site), the university campus in Saint Martin d’Heres and the hospital campus in La Tronche
- Partners with public transport system SMMAG(Syndicat Mixte des Mobilités de l’Aire Grenobloise) – designed to link riders with drivers for spontaneous, occasional or regular commuting. https://www.mobilites-m.fr/pages/Covoiturage.html#
M covoit' Lignes+: Spontaneous ridesharing pickup points
M covoit' RDV: ridesharing operating in Grenoble, Echirolles et Moirans/Voreppe
- Regional and national carpool networks
Blablacar– https://www.blablacar.fr/carpool
Mobicoop – cooperative model which doesn’t charge commission -
Driving in France
All drivers in France must hold a valid driving license, as well as the vehicle registration certificate (carte grise), an insurance certificate and an air quality certificate for the same vehicle.
A valid driver’s license:
Depending on whether the original license is from a country in or outside the EU, certain conditions determine whether your license is valid in France and if you can exchange your driver’s license for a French driver’s license.
Your driver’s license was issued in an EU country (or in the UK before 2021) – You are allowed to drive in France for one year after your arrival as long as your license is valid and you satisfy certain conditions.
If your license has expired, you will need to exchange it for a French license.
Your driver’s license was issued by a non-EU country – If a reciprocal agreement has been signed between France and that country, and if you meet certain conditions, you may drive for one year after you become resident in France before you need to exchange your license for a French license.
If there is no agreement between France and the country that issued your license, you will need to pass a French driver’s test to obtain a French license.
For more information:
Driving in France with a European license:
List of countries with reciprocal agreements with France: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/---_liste_permis_de_conduire_valables_a_l_echange_09.12.2021---_cle8735a7.pdf
Exchanging a non-EU driving license:
Online process to exchange a foreign driver’s license for a French license: https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr/demarches-en-ligne/echanger-un-permis-etranger
Vehicle registration (carte grise):
If you bring a vehicle from abroad, you have one month to register it and obtain a carte grise. The registration fee will depend on the characteristics of the vehicle and the address of its owner. Vehicles can be registered online by owners, but persons born outside of France do not have the INSEE number required to complete the process online. See below for a list of garages certified to register vehicles for a fee.
For more information (in French): immatriculation.ants.gouv.fr
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N367
List of certified garages:
immatriculer-mon-vehicule
Online registration process*: https://ants.gouv.fr/monespace/s-inscrire
Technical inspection
In France, all motor vehicles must pass a technical inspection (contrôle technique) within six months of the vehicle's fourth year, and every two years thereafter. The test is obligatory and failure to present the vehicle for the inspection can lead to a heavy fine. A local garage can tell you the nearest place to go for the test.
More information about the contrôle technique is available at
Air quality certificates
Some towns require motorists to display a sticker (vignette) on their vehicles showing how it is classed in terms of emissions. Prefectures may restrict driving during periods of peak pollution. For more information, see
Electric car charging
There are four charging stations for electric vehicles on site next to the ILL in the Chartreuse parking lot of the ESRF and managed by Ze-Watt. For access, create an individual account at https://ze-watt.com/ and write “EPN” when registering your institute name. You will be billed monthly by Ze-Watt.
Several different networks operate charging stations around Grenoble and throughout France, including Ionity, Corri-door, Allego, and Newmotion. In most cases, you connect and pay using a card or an app. The Chargemap Pass allows universal access to various charging station networks https://fr.chargemap.com/
More guides to transportation options in and around Grenoble:
International Student and Scholar Office:
Grenoble tourism:
https://www.grenoble-tourisme.com/en/practical-information/getting-around/