The Perret Tower is the only remaining structure from the 1925 International Exhibition of Hydropower and Tourism.
The park was redesigned in the 1960s to incorporate the new Grenoble City Hall, which was opened in 1967.
It is one of the largest urban parks in France situated directly within a city center.
The site was historically used as an airfield for light aircraft before becoming the permanent park space seen today.
The park's greenery includes over 700 trees representing several dozen distinct species.
Parc Paul Mistral is a 27-hectare green space situated in the heart of Grenoble, serving as the primary urban park for the city. It occupies the former site of the 1925 International Exhibition of Hydropower and Tourism. The park houses the 95-meter concrete Perret Tower, built in 1925 to demonstrate the structural capabilities of reinforced concrete. Much of the park's layout reflects the legacy of this exhibition, maintaining wide lawns and pathways integrated into the modern city grid. The park also hosts the City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) of Grenoble on its grounds. Extensive sports facilities are located within the park, including a roller skating track, basketball courts, and soccer fields. The site offers unobstructed views of the surrounding Belledonne and Vercors mountain ranges. It serves as the primary venue for several large-scale city events and summer festivals.
The base of the Perret Tower looking upward, or the open lawns facing the mountains.
Visit the north end of the park for the best views of the Bastille fort on the surrounding cliffs.
Bring a picnic blanket as there are vast, open lawn areas popular with locals.
Use the dedicated paths if you are cycling or rollerblading, as they are separated from pedestrian walkways.
Do not attempt to enter the Perret Tower, as it is closed to the public for safety and structural reasons.
Public parks in France generally prohibit walking on flowerbeds and require the use of waste bins for all trash.
