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.
Ready to Book?
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
Festivals
Ski touring
The Southern French Alps area is perfect for ski touring, backcountry skiing and mountaineering as there are a huge variety of routes, from technical, long distance high mountain traverses (including the Tour des Ecrins) to short day trips on easier slopes.
Hiking
Located at the edge of the biggest french national park the Ecrins, and not far from Queyras Natural Regional Park and Vanoise National Park this is an ideal place to discover all the refugees, mountain lakes and glaciers of the South Alps.Biking
Mountain biking, Downhill biking, Road biking – Test the big mountain, singletrack paradise that is home to the best riding in the world or cycle the most famous and challenging etapes of Tour de France
Climbing
Briançon is surrounded by more than 80 actual climbing sites, many with more than one sector, on 6 different rock types, grades ranging from 3c to 9 and a mix of single and multi-pitch with 300 days of sun per year and you get one of the world’s best climbing spots.
Rafting & Kayaking
Explore the best white waters of France, on the Guisane, Gyr or Guil river. Step into a kayak or a raft and see where it takes you. It will be one of life’s most memorable experiences.Historic Old Town
UNESCO protected old town, fortified by Vauban in the 17th century but whose history goes back to 2,500 years with initial settlers in this region, the Celts. Now, it’s an ideal place to wander in small narrow streets, discover cafes and restaurants, or visit small galleries, bookstores and shops.
Ecrins National Park
A beautiful region of mountains and glaciers, meadows and wildlife featuring some of the wildest and most dramatic scenery in the Alps. A favourite destination for nature lovers, climbers and hikers.
Community Workshops
Use a unique opportunity to learn from people with different life experiences, broaden your horizons and get inspired by them.
Via Ferratas
Protected climbing routes also known as via ferratas are a great way to explore the mountains with less technical skills needed than for rock climbing. There are 27 via ferratas in the area, from beginner ones to the paths that will make you push your limits.
Festivals
There is always something happening in the area. Jazz festival held in small bars, medieval festival that take over the whole old town, our favourite white water festival in the spring or theater festivals with fireworks held in abandoned fortresses. There is something for every taste.Queyras Regional Park
This enclosed mountain valley is an area of pure, unspoilt nature with its forests, gorges and lakes and a home to some of the most beautiful alpine villages with its chapels, sundials and fountains. With more than 100 km of cross country skiing paths that take you from one village to another, this is a perfect place for nature lovers looking for an authentic experience.Lakes & Water Sports
Mountain lakes in the area have a lot to offer. Serre-Ponçon lake is a kitesurf or windsurf spot with flat shimmering turquoise glacial meltwater, reliable wind and spectacular mountain scenery. Another glacier lake, Roche-de-Rame, is easily accessible and perfect for a chill day with friends, a nice swim and a picnic basket.Trail running
Several races are organized every year around Briançon and many trails are available. The dry weather and 300+ days of sun per year offer perfect conditions for this activity.Canyoning
Canyoning is a great way to explore some of the French Alps’ most inaccessible yet beautiful landscapes. A canyon with its gushing waterfalls, natural swimming pools and boulders for clambering over is like a huge natural water park.Paragliding
Have you ever imagined flying free in the air like a bird – who hasn’t! Paragliding is the closest you can get to this amazing, fantasized and very unique feeling. The southern French Alps is a great destination for learning to paraglide thanks to its reliable weather conditions and predictable thermals.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great opportunity to discover the mountains, far away from ski areas, and very close to nature, at the heart of the majestic mountains of the Southern Alps.Alpine skiing
Spend your days between discovering the 250 km of slopes of Serre Chevalier, skiing between France and Italy in Montgènevre or take it to another level in cult ski resort La Grave.
