Earlier today I thought about the different places I have lived when working abroad. My one bedroom apartment in Zurich, 100 m from the lake, belongs to one of the better. The cozy bedsit I shared with a Swedish friend in Notting Hill wasn’t bad either. And I can still remember the small comfy bunk bed in the cabin at the Fowler Center in Mayville, Michigan, where I worked as a Special Needs Counselor.
But so far nothing beats the room I lived in throughout my four months in Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, a village near Grenoble by the French Alps. The first morning I looked out my window and saw the mountain chain Belledonne and the snow-covered Alp tops, I knew I couldn’t do anything else than love it. Thanks to the extremely comfortable bed I felt great every morning – apart from that one time I forgot to close my window and woke up with mosquito bites all over my face, but that’s another story.
If you ever pass by this village, do continue towards nearby Biviers to admire the view over the mountains on the other side of I´lsere. For the best view of Montbonnot, head up to the park by Chateaux de Miribel, a quiet oasis with a children playground and good picnic spots.
Chemin de la Souchiere which leads through the forest down to Impasse de la Souchiere and Chemin de la Laurelle is another beautiful place. To reach the center of Montbonnot, return the same way uphill, take a left towards Route de la Doux, or turn right towards Chemin de Saint-Martin. Montbonnot only has one main street, Rue du Général de Gaulle, followed by Avenue des Sept Laux towards the village Meylan. So no big risk to get lost.
Apart from the unavoidable stunning surroundings, Montbonnot’s main square is also worth a visit. Even though a church, two bakeries, a fruit seller, a coiffeur, a pharmacy and a post office might sound sparse it’s a charming spot where the locals meet, talk and make their daily errands. I remember the day I left the post office after saying my first complete French sentence; “Je voudrait six timbre pour la Suede, s’il vous plait” (I would like six stamps to Sweden, please). But what I remember most is my spacious bedroom with a mountain view that brought a smile to my face every morning.
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oooo!
thts great .
i hope you will get it some day .
I’m actually looking for accomodation in Montbonnot !!
I wonder if the place you rented is free !!
If you get this, please send me details !!
Best
Rob (another wanderer who’s put her suittcases down in the Alps !)
@Rob, I was working as an au-pair in Montbonnot, so I was staying with the family while living there. But there is a hotel along Rue du Général de Gaulle in the center of the village. Not hard to miss!
Thank you for the reply.
Actually I’ve lived in La Tronche for a few years so I know the area well.
I’m leaving my house for ‘perso’ reasons and desperately seeking accomodation in the area, even temporary. Your host family might know of something. My pref goes to a small flat in a house, maybe occupied by a retired couple who would appreciate the rent and maybe also a younger ‘presence’ for company, help. I’m a teacher at Grenoble university so my credentials are OK! Help is usually where you’re least expecting so I’m reaching out and crossing my fingers at the same time – a bit acrobatic!
Happy traveling!
Rob
Hi Rob,
After reading your first comment I got the impression you were looking for a hotel.
La Tronche is a beautiful area. We were there a few times. I don’t know of any other free accommodation now, but you can always check craigslist Grenoble at http://grenoble.fr.craigslist.org/ and I found this other site http://housing.justlanded.com/en/France/For-Rent_Apartments/ that lists rentals in the Grenoble area as well.
And, if I’m not wrong, some of the Internet cafes in Grenoble have ‘message boards’ where you can find ads for places to rent.
Then there’s serviced apartments but in my experience those tend to be very expensive http://www.privilodges.com/grenoble/apartment/rent-furnished-apartment-grenoble.html
http://grenoble-apartments.apartotels.com/
If I hear about something else, I’ll let you know. Anyway, good luck!