: Briancon

Briançon is the highest town in France (1,326 metres) and a fortified city in the Hautes-Alpes department, perched at the confluence of the Durance and Guisane rivers in the heart of the Écrins massif. Its remarkable Vauban fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town is a major centre for winter sports and summer mountain activities, surrounded by the Écrins National Park.

Briançon has a railway station on the TER line from Marseille via Gap (about 3 hours). In winter, a night train serves from Paris. By car, the N94 road leads from Gap. The nearest airports are Turin (Italy) and Grenoble, both about 2 hours by car.

The old town (Cité Vauban) and main streets are compact and walkable, though steep. A local bus service covers the valley and ski stations. A free shuttle in winter connects town to Serre Chevalier slopes. For the Écrins and mountain passes, a car is essential.

The Cité Vauban: Fort des Têtes, Tour du Château, and Durance fortifications. Église Notre-Dame et Saint-Nicolas (Baroque). Pont d'Asfeld, a striking single-arch stone bridge. Musée de la Résistance. The Écrins National Park: glaciers, alpine lakes, and peaks over 4,000 metres.

Ski at Serre Chevalier (250 km of slopes). Summer hiking on the GR54 in the Écrins National Park. Mountain biking, rock climbing, and paragliding. The town hosts an annual Jazz Festival. Local thermal baths are excellent after a day on the slopes.

Mountain cuisine: fondue, raclette, tartiflette, and grilled meats in winter. Local cheeses. Trout from the Durance and game in summer. Restaurants range from traditional chalets to crêperies and gastronomic addresses.

Mulled wine, hot chocolate, local microbrewery beers, and génépi (alpine herbal liqueur). Pastis is also common. Bars around Place de l'Europe are the main evening spots.

Many beds in winter, from ski-resort apartments to comfortable hotels. The old town has characterful hotels. Budget options include hostels and gîtes d'étape. Farmhouse B&Bs in surrounding valleys. Serre Chevalier offers slope-side accommodation.

Alpine cheeses (Beaufort, Tomme de l'Écrins), dried mountain sausages and hams, honey, and herbal teas. Outdoor and ski equipment shops dominate the main street. Woodcarvings and wool sweaters.

The Écrins National Park (La Grave, Glacier Blanc). The Italian border via Montgenèvre. The Col du Galibier and Col d'Izoard (Tour de France climbs). Gap and the Durance valley.