Earlier this month Ryanair launched it's seasonal thrice-weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from London Stansted to Grenoble Alpes Isère airport serving the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, from £9.99 one way continuing until 27 October 2018. The route opens up the south-eastern region of France in particular Grenoble. Read on for four good reasons to visit:

1) Neighboured by three striking massifs Grenoble offers bountiful opportunities to enjoy its unspoiled scenery. Known as the 'Capital of the Alps', 1968 Winter Olympic City Grenoble is set among the Parc Naturel Régional de Chartreuse and Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors. Summertime offers multiple opportunities for hiking, biking, cycling and golf - you can do it all here and pretty much for free. Click here for #inspo

2) The annual Cabaret Frappé Festival swells the Jardin de Ville each July with a laid-back crowd. Previous years have included Morcheeba and French rappers Mister V. This year’s festival runs from 15-21 July; keep an eye on the website for the latest updates for a festival which often is free.

3) Jump on the bubble-like téléférique cable car that rises above the Isère River to the 19th century Fort de la Bastille. The 360-degree views take in Mont Blanc on a clear day. Roundtrip from €8.20 per adult, €4.50 per child.

3) Indoor pursuits include some thirty museums (some free of charge) including the Musée de Grenoble, considered one of France’s finest art institutions. Exhibitions housed in a  light-filled gallery, have included Georgia O'Keeffe and Wassily Kandinsky with thousands of original paintings from artists such as Renoir and Monet.

4) Grenoble’s distinct local cuisine includes walnuts, Chartreuse liqueur and, of course, cheese including raclette and reblochon. Sample pretty much all the region's top dishes at the Café de la Table Ronde (restaurant-tableronde-grenoble.com), said to be France’s second oldest café. Among the period charm sample gratin dauphinoise and tarte aux noix (walnut tart).

For details including hotel, B&Bs and self-catering properties see www.isere-tourism.com/innovative-shortbreaks