My father was in the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble. I am heading to France this coming year and am wondering if it is worth going to see Grenoble. Obviously I'd like to go for sentimental reasons, but I want to make sure there would be things to see. Are there places left from the Olympics that I can visit and experience what my father saw forty-plus years ago?
Posted by
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
177 posts
That's Correct Tom. The Olympic sites have been integrated to the urban landscape. It is mildly depressing to be honest. I found this interesting video on the architect responsible for the 1968 Olympic infrastructure explaining the benefit of modern architecture that blends very well, according to him, to the alpine landscape:
But to the OP, sure pretty much everything is still there and you can go see the different places. Skiing events were at Chamrousse and Alpes d'Huez.
Posted by
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
177 posts
Grenoble is not very charming IMO. The Olympic village has been fully integrated into Grenoble and converted into apartment buildings, cultural centers, and schools. It is in the typical 1960s concrete modernist style. It is all on Google street view if you want to see what it looks like. It is around Avenue Marie Reynoard.
Lausanne has a great Olympic museum but it is currently being expanded. I do not know when it will open again.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
One of my daughters went to a semester of school in Grenoble. Mark's right; it's not very charming. The old ice stadium - where the hockey and figure skating took place - is still standing, but that's about it.