Briançon is located in the Hautes-Alpes department at an altitude of 1,326 meters. It is the highest town in the European Union. In order to protect the town, various military structures were built between the 18th and 20th centuries: the Fort des Salettes, the Fort des Trois Têtes and the Fort du Randouillet. The town was fortified byVauban in the 18th century, and art and history are today an integral part of its heritage. The town is also listed as aUNESCO World Heritage Site.
The heart of Briançon is in the picturesque citadel of Vauban, at the foot of the castle. There you can admire its various historical monuments such as Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, the Church of the Cordeliers, the colorful old houses, Place d’Armes or the fountains and sundials that decorate the alleys.
The town comes alive each year to the rhythm of its events which include the Altitude Jazz Festival, the medieval festival and the Offenbachiades.
In winter, Briançon turns into a real ski resort. Particularly popular, it is part of Serre Chevalier Vallée. The ski area is located at the gates of the Écrins National Park, dominated by Mont Prorel. Its geographic location, close to the Italian border on one side and Provence on the other side, makes it a special place.
The exceptional natural environment of Briançon allows you to practice many outdoor sports such as hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, canoeing, rafting and skiing in winter. Briançon is one of the ski resort towns with more than 1,000 km of slopes.
You can also, during your stay in the mountains, discover the nearby tourist destinations such as Le Monêtier-les-Bains, Saint-Chaffrey, Montgenèvre and the Queyras Regional Nature Park.
