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

Get in

By plane

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

By train

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.

By car

• 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.

By bus

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

See

Vauban's fortifications.

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

Do

Wintersports sports

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

Eat

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

The restaurant le Panicaut on Rue Centrale does a good 3-course menu for around €32, and is run by a pleasant French Woman who speaks reasonable English (but will indulge schoolboy French too).

Sleep

• 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. 

Go next

• Ecrins
• Queyras