The Perret Tower in Grenoble: what you need to know
- The Perret Tower reopens to the public on 11 July 2026 after being closed for more than 60 years.
- Located in Paul-Mistral Park in Grenoble, it offers a 360° panoramic view of the city and the Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne mountain ranges.
- Built for the 1925 International Exhibition, the Perret Tower is one of the world’s first reinforced concrete towers.
- Standing 90 metres tall, it is a major symbol of Grenoble’s heritage and modern architecture.
- A visit offers a different vantage point to that of the Bastille, right in the heart of the city and the Alps.
- Restoration work, which has been underway since 2023, has helped to preserve this historic monument thanks to innovative concrete conservation techniques.
- Visits are by booking only, with evening openings scheduled during the summer.
- To mark the occasion, the area around the tower has been redevelope.
An iconic landmark of Grenoble, the Perret Tower is finally set to reopen its doors to the public on 11 July 2026, after several decades of waiting. Just as visitors to the 1925 International Exhibition were treated to a previously unseen panoramic view of the Alps, the people of Grenoble and travellers will soon be able to rediscover the unique experience offered by this iconic monument: rising high above the heart of Paul-Mistral Park to admire a 360° view of Grenoble.
Visiting the Perret Tower in Grenoble: an unmissable experience in Grenoble
An iconic landmark of Grenoble and a true centrepiece of Paul-Mistral Park, this 90-metre tower, designed by the architect Auguste Perret, is returning to its original purpose: offering visitors a spectacular vantage point from which to discover Grenoble and the Alps.
Whilst its name echoes that of the Perret Tower in Amiens, designed by the same architect, it is entirely distinct from it. Unlike the one in the Somme, which is a residential and office skyscraper, the Perret Tower in Grenoble is an observation tower, entirely dedicated to the panoramic view.
Built for the 1925 International Exhibition of ‘White Coal’ and Tourism, the Perret Tower was, at the time, a symbol of innovation and modernity. A hundred years on, it once again invites visitors and the people of Grenoble to rise above the city to admire it, its mountains and its heritage from a unique perspective.
Why visit the Perret Tower?
A breathtaking view of Grenoble and the Alps
From its panoramic terrace, situated at a height of nearly 60 metres, the Perret Tower offers an exceptional view of the Grenoble area. Unlike the view from the Bastille, which overlooks Grenoble from above, here the city unfolds right at the heart of its Alpine surroundings.
Surrounded by the Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne mountain ranges, Grenoble reveals the full extent of its spectacular geography. With information panels explaining the landscape, a 360° panorama, and views of the grand boulevards, Paul-Mistral Park and the mountain peaks, the experience makes it immediately clear why Grenoble is nicknamed the ‘Capital of the Alps’.
A unique experience for the people of Grenoble… and for visitors too!
For the people of Grenoble
- To finally enjoy an experience that several generations have been deprived of (60 years is a long time!)
- Rediscovering Grenoble from a vantage point that has long been inaccessible has a certain magic to it
- Observing the city’s evolution, set against a backdrop of historic heritage and modern urban planning
- Comparing the view with that from the Bastille: here, the mountains truly surround the city
- Rediscovering an iconic monument steeped in collective memory
For visitors
- Discover one of Grenoble’s most iconic landmarks
- Gain an insight into the unique bond between the city and the Alps
- Take in the three mountain ranges surrounding Grenoble in a single glance
- Explore a pioneering masterpiece of reinforced concrete
- Enjoy a tour combining heritage, architecture and panoramic views
Planning your visit to the Perret Tower in Grenoble
When is the best time to visit the Perret Tower?
In summer
It’s best to visit in the late afternoon to enjoy the light on the rock formations and avoid the heat of the day. In June, evening opening hours are available on Fridays and Saturdays until 10 pm, offering a particularly spectacular experience at sunset.
In winter
Mornings and early afternoons generally offer the best visibility for viewing the snow-capped mountains.
Book your ticket
Visits are by booking only to ensure that the tower’s capacity limit is observed. It is strongly recommended that you buy your tickets in advance, particularly during school holidays and at weekends.
A tip from Élise, a tour guide
If you’re already familiar with Grenoble from the Bastille, get ready for a completely different experience. From the Perret Tower, you’re right in the heart of the city whilst looking down from above – it’s dizzying and surprising.
Personally, I love the details you don’t notice at first glance: the light filtering through the trellises, their varied shapes, the different views that unfold with every step of the climb… Keep your eyes peeled – you’re in for a treat!
A revolutionary tower in 1925
When it was inaugurated in 1925, the Perret Tower captivated people as much with its aesthetics as with its technical prowess. At the time, reinforced concrete was still a pioneering material. Auguste Perret, regarded as one of the great pioneers of modern architecture, created a masterpiece here: a slender, light and airy tower, inspired by ancient columns yet resolutely forward-looking.
Its structure rests on eight main pillars, and its openwork screens allow light and air to flow through as one ascends. From the moment it opened, millions of visitors came to admire the Alpine panorama from its summit.
Closed to the public in 1960 for safety reasons linked to the ageing of the reinforced concrete, the Perret Tower is now a listed historic monument.
An exceptional restoration project
The restoration of the Perret Tower in Grenoble is one of the city’s major recent heritage projects. Launched in 2023, the works have drawn on rare expertise to preserve this iconic monument whilst adapting it to modern requirements for visitor facilities and safety.
The main challenge concerned the carbonation of the concrete, a natural phenomenon that gradually weakens the internal steel reinforcement. Extensive work was therefore carried out to assess, reinforce and restore the concrete in order to ensure the long-term preservation of the structure.
The project also enabled:
- The restoration of the historic panoramic lifts,
- The installation of an interpretive trail around the tower,
- The creation of new landscape viewing platforms,
- The enhancement of the trellises and architectural details,
- Improvements to accessibility and visitor facilities.
A number of innovative techniques were used, such as nitrogen cleaning, which allows the concrete to be cleaned without damaging its surface.
Beyond the restoration, the project’s main aim is to restore the Perret Tower to its original function: to be the ‘tower for viewing the mountains’.
A quick glimpse of the Tower from the webcam
Things to see and do around the Perret Tower in Grenoble
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Jardin des Plantes Joséphine Baker
Garden, Botanical garden, Pleasure garden Grenoble View more -
Muséum de Grenoble
Sciences and technology, Environment, Natural history Grenoble View more -
Parc Paul Mistral
Park Grenoble View more -
Playground at Paul Mistral Park
Grenoble View more -
Resistance Museum
History, Resistance Grenoble View more
