Briançon

Briançon is a city in Hautes-Alpes near to France's Italian border. It is the highest town in France.

The closest airports are

• Grenoble airport (lowcost airport), 2h45 by car
• Lyon, 3h by car
• Milan, Italy, 2h40 by car
• Turin, Italy, 1h45 by car

There is a train station in Briançon.

• The main line is Marseille-Briançon.
• A night train comes from Paris.

If you want to come by TGV (high speed train) from Lyon or Paris, the most efficient way is to take the Paris-Milan line and to step out at Oulx, Italy. Then there is a bus (30 mn) to Briançon.

• If you come from Grenoble, you have to take the D1091 and cross the Lautaret pass.
• If you come from Italy, you have to take the SS24 and cross the Montgenèvre pass.
• If you come from South (Marseille, Sisteron) you have to take the highway A51/E712, then the N85 to gap and the N94 to Briançon.

There is a bus from Grenoble to Briançon (2/day) and a bus from Marseille and Gap to Briançon.

Fortifications built by Vauban in the 17th century to defend the region from the Austrians

Briançon is a part of the famous ski resort Serre-Chevalier.

Briançon Fantôme, Cité Vauban. A self-guided, smartphone-based audio walking tour focusing on the darker history, local legends, and mysteries of the Vauban fortifications. Because it does not require a live guide, it is a good option for an evening activity when the official tourist office closes. The route stays within the old town walls and takes about 60 to 90 minutes. €6.

Restaurants aren't that plentiful in Briançon; there are several pizza places but only a few French eateries.

• Peak Retreats (Briançon and Serre-Chevalier Accommodation Specialist), ☏ +44 2392 839 310. A range of self-catering apartments in Briançon and Serre-Chevalier. Accommodation sleeping 2-10, lift passes, ski school, equipment hire can be arranged. Bookable from the UK.  ^{[dead link]}

• Ecrins
• Queyras