Briançon is on UNESCO's World Heritage list for its Vauban fortifications
Briançon, a combination of skiing and history
Perched on a rocky outcrop, the Cité Vauban of France's highest town, 1,326 m above sea level, lends its Serre Chevalier ski area a historic and patrimonial sparkle.
While Briançon stands out for its picturesque town and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortifications - unique examples of mountain military architecture in Europe - it also stands out for the fact, almost unique in Europe, that this Town of Art & History is also a ski resort, with the Prorel slope and gondola running right down to the center of its lower slopes.
A surprising and singular combination of old stone and carbon boards, allowing you to hurtle down a few slopes before visiting the old town, its gargoyle and its collegiate church.
This climatic resort and WHO health city offers a wide range of space-time events: a medieval festival and a street art festival, an alpenhorn gathering and a jazz festival with concerts on the slopes.
Briançon is all about medieval traces at the foot of the most advanced ski area in terms ofrenewable energies. With its sights firmly set on the future and the ecological transition, this climatic city, renowned for its air quality - no ozone pollution episodes or pollution peaks were recorded in 2021 - is continuing the contemporary redevelopment of its former military district.
Following the construction of residences and a media library, the barracks of the 159th Infantry Regiment of the Alps are about to be transformed into housing, a hotel and a youth hostel, where a mix of generations and co-living and co-working spaces will offer a modern lifestyle to visitors and permanent residents alike.
But Briançon is also a young, dynamic and particularly sporty town.
It's hardly surprising that the major international gatherings of the sporting elite have chosen it as their base camp - Mondial de l'escalade, Piolets d'Or, Vauban Urban Trail, Tour de France..
Here, you don't miss a match of the field hockey team Les Diables Rouges hockey teamyou'll ski, ride, climb, paddle, run, slide, fly, swim, "dré dans l'pentu!" in an exceptional environment, a winter and summer playground without limits.
An unrivalled destination that combines sport and culture. 😍
Green Globe label
Preparatory center for the 2024 Olympic Games
With 410 hectares of slopes and a total area of 3,901 hectares, Serre Chevalier Vallée is one of Europe's largest ski areas.
In 2018, it was awarded the Green Globe label (the sustainable development label dedicated to tourism). 
100% Clean Air
Briançon is renowned for its microclimate, with an exceptional 300 days of sunshine a year! which gives it a high therapeutic value.
Briançon and its sports facilities.
Briançon is not only a renowned tourist destination: it's also an ideal playground for sports enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Equipped with a wide range of modern facilities, the town attracts both clubs looking for optimal training conditions and enthusiasts in search of sporting thrills. Briançon attracts many top athletes who come to take advantage of the benefits of altitude, pure air and an exceptional natural environment.
Let's take a look at the facilities that make Briançon an unmissable destination Find out more
Our answers
your questions
Guided tours of the town of Briançon are offered by the Heritage Department. There is a charge for these tours, which can be booked directly online or at the Tourist Offices.
The Tourist Office offers guided tours of the different villages in the valley. These tours are free and can be booked online or at the Tourist Offices.
Serre Chevalier is a ski area that stretches across the entire Guisane valley (a river that rises at the Col du Lautaret and flows into the Durance at Briançon). It stretches over 27.7km and includes: one town, Briançon, a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire (City of Art and History) whose Vauban fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 3 villages, Chantemerle (commune of Saint-Chaffrey), Villeneuve (commune of La Salle les Alpes), le Monêtier les Bains and 11 hamlets.
The valley began to be called "Serre Chevalier" following the inauguration of the cable car in 1941, leading to the summit of the Serre Chevalier peak at an altitude of 2491m.
The name Serre Chevalier comes from the patois "Sarra Cambéou". "Sarra" is a rounded hump exposed to the wind - "Cambéou" is the family name of the transhumant Provençal herders of the Middle Ages who brought their flocks to graze on this mountain.
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