The Area
Europe’s highest town in the heart of Ecrins National Park
Located in Briancon, Europe’s highest town in the heart of Ecrins National Park and at the foot of one of France’s largest ski resorts, Serre Chevalier. Boasting 300+ days of sunshine a year, Briancon offers nomads the perfect balance of work and activities in the outdoors.
With Serre Chevalier, the most well-known, Montgenèvre, the oldest and the mythical La Grave-La Meije, three of the largest ski resorts in France, the Briançon area is undeniably focused on winter sports and summer mountain activities.
The Briançon area is ideal for getting about: the Italian border is close by as are the high altitude passes of the Galibier, the Lautaret, the Echelle or the Izoard (Grands Cols) and the wild and preserved Vallée de la Clarée (Clarée Valley). It is renowned for the quality of the air and the health benefits related to the climate. The Guisane Valley has several wellness establishments such as Les Grands Bains in Monétier, where there is a natural warm water spring or Durancia in Montgenèvre near to two recent biotope lakes.
Discover Briancon
The Briançon Area Is Ideal For Getting About
Live and work in fortified village
The UNESCO protected citadel, aka “Cité Vauban”, feels like a village within the town. It has its own ecosystem and people living there are referred to as “Gargouillards”. Various guided historical/cultural visits are organized on a regular basis by the city. Its narrow streets also host many restaurants, shops, art galleries, and other wonders. The coliving house, located at the edge of the fortifications, is the former residence of the military governor of Briançon.
A world of nature at your fingertips
The Hautes-Alpes contains treasures of nature and is a playground exemplary in its diversity and its wild character. Briançon lies at the meeting point of five valleys. Its adjacent national park, Les Ecrins, host several glaciers and culminates at 4101 meters high.
A true authentic French town
Occupying a strategic position at an altitude of 1326m, the upper town of Briançon is a unique example of mountain fortification perched on a peak high in the Alps. Encircled by a system of ramparts designed by Vauban, the entire town itself is surrounded by a series of high-altitude forts making it unassailable.
Activities for every taste
If you come in winter, after discovering the 250 km of slopes of Serre Chevalier, you can explore different closeby resorts or try something different like snowshoeing or ski touring to experience the less accessible areas of Ecrins and Queyras national parks. We also usually like to have a chill day or after ski recovery in the thermal baths directly accessible from the slopes. If you want more adventure, La Grave off-piste ski resort is 45 minutes’ drive, and Lautaret’s pass, one of the most famous European snowkite spot, is 30 minutes’ drive. If you come in summer, there is even more choice and ways to experience the playground we are surrounded with: rock climbing, via ferratas, alpinism, mountain/downhill/road biking, kayaking, rafting, canyoning, hiking, trail running, paragliding, wild camping, etc. We are right in the middle of the fun!

Live and work in fortified village
The UNESCO protected citadel, aka “Cité Vauban”, feels like a village within the town. It has its own ecosystem and people living there are referred to as “Gargouillards”. Various guided historical/cultural visits are organized on a regular basis by the city. Its narrow streets also host many restaurants, shops, art galleries, and other wonders. The coliving house, located at the edge of the fortifications, is the former residence of the military governor of Briançon.

A world of nature at your fingertips
The Hautes-Alpes contains treasures of nature and is a playground exemplary in its diversity and its wild character. Briançon lies at the meeting point of five valleys. Its adjacent national park, Les Ecrins, host several glaciers and culminates at 4101 meters high.

A true authentic french town
Occupying a strategic position at an altitude of 1326m, the upper town of Briançon is a unique example of mountain fortification perched on a peak high in the Alps. Encircled by a system of ramparts designed by Vauban, the entire town itself is surrounded by a series of high-altitude forts making it unassailable.

Activities for every taste
Spend your days discovering the 250 km of slopes of Serre Chevalier or enjoy one of Europe’s best off-piste and tree skiing. Have a chill day or after ski recovery in the thermal baths directly accessible from the slopes. If you need more adventure La Grave off-piste ski resort is 45 minutes’ drive and Lautaret’s pass snowkiting spot is 30 minutes’ drive. For summer, you can choose anything from rock climbing, via ferrata, mountain or road biking, kayaking, rafting, hiking, paragliding or many other activities which are at our doorstep.
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Things To Do

Climbing

Biking

Hiking

Rafting & Kayaking

Via Ferratas

Trail running

Canyoning

Paragliding

Ecrins National Park

Queyras Regional Park

Historic Old Town

Lakes & Water Sports

Alpine skiing

Ski touring

Snowshoeing
