Briancon France travel tips

Briancon France GPS 44.8974, 6.63642

It’s not everyday you can step back in time, and witness amazing architecture and engineering done by hand in the 1600s, still standing proud today. A visit to Briancon is such a magical historical place, its also the highest city in France, at over 1850 meters, 6070’, tucked up in the magnificent Cote D’Azur Alps.

This medieval village of Briancon is actually on the Tour De France bike route, with some of the most grueling steep switchbacks of the bike race climbing these steep scenic mountains near the France Italy border.

Briancon as a fortified city is remarkable, the “Cité Vauban” was built as a military fortification under King Louis XIV reign, you know the Sun King who reigned from 1643-1715 in one of the most lavish and expansionist careers in French history. To build a fort at such high elevation was ambitious, but military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban was determined, and well funded by King Louis.

Briancon’s history dates even further back, as a strategic trade rotue from Rome to Torino, Marseille and Paris.

Briancon’s amazing architecture is worth a few hours of exploring on foot. Stop at the Tourism Office for a city map. Visit the 1726 Parish Church with its two prominent towers, next door to the tourism office.

Be sure to walk up around the Vauban fort, the castle is private and not open to tour, but continue up the hill to the Pont Asfeld – a bold arched bridge that Vauban designed to defend the upper Forts at almost 8000′. The Pont Asfeld is spectacular over the Durance River gorge, not for the timid of heights!

Just strolling the cobbled streets of Briancon, visiting authentic shops and boutiques, is a delight in this UNESCO World Heritage site. Briancon is apparently packed in summer with busloads of tourists, but pleasant in spring, fall and winter, though some establishments have minimal hours off-season.

Make reservations to dine at the charming Le Gavroche. This Haute Alps region is famed for its cheese and therefore Fondue and Raclette are prominent and delicious on most menus. Also the Croziflette is a culinary delight with cheese baked in a crockery over wonderful tiny square homemade pasta cubes, best with Beaufort and local ham, and of course a glass of Rhone red wine or a local Rose.

Briançon is on the Col de Montgenèvre, just up the valley to the east is Montgenevre ski resort – part of the French Italian Milky Way ski region – the huge Vialattea. To the west is the beautiful Serre Chevalier ski resort – which actually has a lift all the way down to Briancon. This vast, wonderful ski area connects four villages. This French Alps region is spectacular for skiers, bikers, hikers and lovers of French food and wine.