Things to See and Do
One of the must-see places to visit in Briançon is the upper town, also called the Cité Vauban. The houses are tall and colourful, and many are adorned with stunning facades and pediments, and the stunning doors such as Pignerol, which lead to roads in various directions should also be seen.
The various forts, which can be seen from the upper town, can also be visited, with the most popular being Salettes, which was built between 1709 and 1712. Its purpose was to protect the road to Italy, as the border is only 15 km away. Another fort to visit is the ruined Fort Dauphin, which offers organised visits during the summer. The old fort overlooks the city and is linked with the rest of the town by the Asfeld Bridge. Along the Asfeld Bridge is the Chapel of the Brotherhood of Black Penitent, built between 1603 and 1621 and has an iconic bell tower. The chapel suffered from fires in the 20th century but has been restored.
The town also has two open pipes which run from the top to the bottom and were built in the Middle Ages to fight against fires. Called the Great and Little Gargoyles, visitors can expect to find many shops and eateries near the ancient pipes.
In August and July, visitors to Briançon who have a love for geology and fossils can visit the Mine Museum, which explores the history of the local mines and the people who worked there. There are guides in six languages, and group visits last about an hour.
In addition to exploring the town of Briançon, we would highly recommend making the most of the beautiful countryside around you. There are many hiking and mountain biking routes to discover, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the flora and fauna of the Alps.
