Briancon

Visit Briancon, Provence

Briancon is is a fortified mountain town at 1,350 metres above sea level in the Hautes-Alpes department of Provence, close to the French border with Italy and surrounded by alpine mountains, including the spectacular mountain scenery of the Parc National des Ecrins.

The highest city in Europe, Briancon falls at the end of several important valleys through the mountains - hence its historical importance for both defence and trade. Although the fortifications that now dominate Briancon were added in the 17th-18th centuries to protect the important routes between France, Italy and Austria the town has had an important defensive role to play in the region dating back to roman times.

Exploring Briancon

It is the old town of Briancon which is of most interest to visitors, with some notable monuments to discover (as well as the ever present military defences). The main street of the town, Grande Rue, runs steeply down the hillside and is lined with attractive old buildings (the street is also known as the 'grande gargouille' after the drain that runs down the middle of the street to prevent flooding).

The old town is dominated by the 'twin towered' Abbey Church of Notre Dame and Saint Nicholas (also added by Vauban), and there are several other small chapels, fountains such as the 18th century Fountain of Sighs (Fountaine des Soupirs) on Grande Rue, sundials (eg on the abbey church, and on the palace of justice in the Place des Armes) and picturesque squares that you will come across as you explore.

You can escape from the tourist masses in the old (upper) town by heading down the hill along the Avenue de la Rupublique to the lower town, with its many shops, cafes and commerces.

Vauban fortifications in Briancon

There are several important examples of these fortifications around the city strategically placed to protect historically important locations on the route between France and Italy, including the moat, ramparts and gateways into the main city, the forts called Salettes (just above the town), the Three Heads ('des trois têtes'), the Randouillet fort (above the Fort des Trois Tetes) and the Asfeld Bridge (crosses a picturesque gorge of the Durance river between Briancon and the Fort des Trois Tetes).

These, and several other associated local forts and defensive works, were mostly added to reinforce Briancon town defences against possible attack from Italy in the early 18th century and are now form part of the UNESCO listed heritage site that includes many Vauban fortifications in various areas of France.

Other information

The town is also a base with winter sports enthusiasts, with the Serre-Chevalier group of ski resorts in the mountains around Briancon.

Tourist classifications for Briancon: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Listed town of Art and History; 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);

Suggested places to visit near Briancon, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Place Forte de Mont-Dauphin 26km; La Grave 31km; Embrun 39km; Deux-Alpes 42km; Val Thorens 45km; Vanoise National Park 51km; Alpe-d'Huez 51km; Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette 55km; Barcelonnette 57km; Courchevel 57km; Meribel 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Briancon

Briancon tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Vallee de la Claree - grand site of france (8km) : Queyras - regional natural parc (25km) : Jardin alpin du Lautaret - remarkable garden (29km) : La Meije - site of natural beauty (29km) : Aiguilles d'Arves - site of natural beauty (35km) : Cirque de Viso - site of natural beauty (42km) : Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - recommended detour (47km) : Lac de Serre-Poncon - site of natural beauty (48km) :

French version: see Briancon (Francais)