Like many French cities Grenoble is an alluring mix of old and new. Situated at the foot of the looming, snow-capped Alps next to the Isère River stunning location combined with the buzz of a great city makes it popular with culture buffs, old romantics and history lovers.

One of France's largest cities, it is not surprising that Grenoble is culturally rich and cosmopolitan. Like many French cities it combines regal, olde worlde architecture with ultra-modern buildings to create beautiful surroundings and offers fantastic amenities and lots to do and see.

Only an hour from Tignes, Val d'Or and Andorra la Vella, it is also the perfect base for ski lovers.

Historically, Grenoble has gone through several name changes and started life as a small walled town known as Cularo.

After 380 AD the Emperor Gratian visited the city and reinforced the walls. After the collapse of the Roman Empire the city became part of the first Burgundian kingdom of Arles. It then fell into the hands of the Counts of Vienne, whose title Daphin gave the region the traditional name of Dauphiné.

Surrounded by looming mountains, hidden valleys and mysterious gorges, Grenoble is still very much a city but has the beauty usually associated with quaint country villages.

Many people, especially avid skiers, use the city merely as a stopover but can hold its own as a vibrant, beautiful place which deserves a visit of more than a couple of hours.

Restaurants are one of Grenoble's highlights. The Auberge Napoleon serves some of the best French cuisine around and also has a claim to fame - Napoleon spent a night here in 1815, hence the name.

For great food and an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of the old town, try Le Peroquet on rue Strasbourg. This stunning country house is popular with both locals and tourists who flock to taste its excellent French cuisine.

As well as great restaurants and cool bars and cafes, Grenoble also has some excellent museums and galleries. Le Magasin is one of Europe's leading contemporary art centres and always has a stunning exhibitions.

The Musée Dauphinois is another good place to visit. Its aim is to preserve old traditions and has regular exhibitions about the Dauphinois people who shaped the region.

Housed in the former convent of St Marie d'en Haut, the museum is a listed historic monument and visitors can see the cloister, terrace, fragrant rose garden and 17th century baroque chapel ensconced in the grounds.

Ski buffs will also enjoy La Grande Histoire du Ski - the museum's permanent exhibition on the 400-year history of skiing.

A trip to Isere is great for visitors. The area has a high concentration of chateaus, many of them listed buildings, and a visit to the area is rewarded by spectacular sightseeing opportunities.

If skiing and sightseeing still can't convince you that a trip to Grenoble is a great idea, then its shopping and brasseries certainly will. Inner-city Grenoble and the suburbs have excellent street markets. St Laurent second-hand market is a great place to pick up bric-a-brac, furniture and clothes while L'Esplanade flea market is a vast sprawl of stalls full of goodies.

Grenoble is quite simply bursting with French charm. If you're looking for a totally French experience but want to steer clear of big, obvious cities, then Grenoble is ideal - manageably small and more French than a garlic-smeared baguette.