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Air Quality in Grenoble

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes — 38

158,198 inhabitants

57 /100
Average

51 of 60 cities

Standard deviation: ±11 points

Based on 200 measurements

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Air quality in Grenoble: what you need to know

Grenoble, nicknamed the "Capital of the Alps," is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains that trap atmospheric pollutants. This unique geographical configuration creates frequent winter pollution episodes when thermal inversions prevent pollutant dispersion. Road traffic, wood-burning heating, and industrial activity are the main pollution sources. The city is investing in public transport and a Low Emission Zone to improve the situation. Mountain-edge neighborhoods (Bastille, Chartreuse) are better ventilated than the basin floor. The average score of 57/100 is among the lowest of major cities, directly linked to geography.

Main pollutants in Grenoble

Main pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3

Fine particles PM2.5 and PM10, from wood-burning heating and traffic, are Grenoble's main problem. The Alpine basin traps these pollutants in winter. Traffic NO2 and summer ozone complete this unfavorable profile. WHO threshold exceedances are frequent in winter.

PM2.5 — Fine Particulate Matter

Particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers. From traffic and heating. Penetrate deep into the lungs.

Key pollutant

PM10 — Coarse Particulate Matter

Particles smaller than 10 micrometers. From traffic, construction, and erosion. Irritating to airways.

Key pollutant

NO2 — Nitrogen Dioxide

Gas mainly from diesel engine combustion. Direct indicator of road traffic. Respiratory irritant.

Key pollutant

O3 — Ozone

Secondary pollutant formed by chemical reaction under sunlight. Peaks in summer. Causes respiratory irritation.

Key pollutant

SO2 — Sulfur Dioxide

From combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels. Found near industrial and port areas.

CO — Carbon Monoxide

Odorless gas from incomplete combustion. Linked to road traffic and faulty heating systems.

Neighborhood comparison in Grenoble

Air quality varies significantly between neighborhoods. With a standard deviation of ±11 points, two addresses in Grenoble can show very different scores. Only an address-level report reveals the actual air quality.

Est. min score Est. max score
35/100 57/100 79/100

Impact on real estate in Grenoble

In Grenoble, air quality is a major real estate concern. Elevated or mountain-edge properties benefit from significantly higher scores and sell at a premium. The basin floor, more polluted, sees lower prices. An ImmoGrade report is an essential tool for Grenoble agents wanting to objectively demonstrate these differences.

Health tips related to air quality

1

Check the ImmoGrade for your address before buying or renting a property.

2

Sensitive individuals (children, elderly, asthma sufferers) should be particularly cautious in areas scoring below 50/100.

3

Choose homes away from major roads and near green spaces for better indoor air quality.

4

Ventilate your home early in the morning or late in the evening, when pollution levels are lowest.

National Ranking — Top 5

# City Score
1 Brest 82/100
2 Lorient 78/100
3 La Rochelle 77/100
4 Bayonne 76/100
5 Ajaccio 75/100

Frequently asked questions about air quality in Grenoble

Why is Grenoble so polluted?

The Alpine basin surrounded by mountains traps pollutants, especially in winter during thermal inversions. Wood-burning heating and traffic worsen the problem. Elevated neighborhoods nevertheless offer better scores (up to 70/100).

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