Briançonnais
High-altitude crossroads
and citadel of the Alps
The Briançonnais region rises up like a balcony of stone and light, at the gateway to Italy, a tipping point between the Southern and Northern Alps, blending age-old heritage and high mountains. The sub-prefecture of the Hautes-Alpes, Briançon, a town with the “Ville et Pays d’art et d’histoire” label, unfurls its steep streets and Vauban fortifications, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, against a backdrop of towering peaks.
The shifting history of borders and migrations has shaped this territory.
and meeting places
High altitude is first and foremost a culture, a demand, an ancient link with neighboring Italy. Glaciers watch over the valleys, the refuges welcome mountaineers and hikers on the trails of the Ecrins National Park. The region has always been an open frontier, combining exchanges, cross-fertilization and challenges over the seasons and centuries.
High valleys
exceptional landscapes
Heading north, the Clarée valley unfurls its flower-filled meadows, wooden chalets and clear waters, an unspoilt natural sanctuary. Further afield, the Jardin du Lautaret, at the gateway to the eponymous pass, invites you on a botanical journey at 2,000 metres. The great Lautaret, Galibier, Granon and Izoard passes, meanwhile, write the history of the Tour de France.
Between Durance
and Guisane
The Briançon valley is both a guardian of history and a breeding ground for Alpine life. The Vauban fortifications, the silhouette of the Asfeld bridge, the squares with their colorful facades and the gargoyle of the old town tell the story of centuries of passage and resistance. In winter, the resorts of Serre Chevalier Briançon, Montgenèvre and La Grave-La Meije bring this high-altitude region to life, combining the excitement of winter sports with the art of mountain living. The Grands Bains du Monêtier, a temple to well-being, offers a thermal stopover facing the peaks, where water gushes naturally hot from the bowels of the mountain.
Terre de sport
Olympic Games 2030 in sight
The Briançonnais is an inexhaustible playground and a call to excel. Here, Védrines, Ménadier, Alphand, Bauchet and many others, inspired by the giants of the Écrins, carve their exploits into the snow and rock. They invite mountain enthusiasts to follow in their footsteps and join them. Soon, the region will confirm its position as a world benchmark for sport by hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics. An Olympic village at the Fort des Têtes in Briançon and 26 freestyle ski and snowboard races at Serre Chevalier, the largest resort in the Southern Alps, and Montgenèvre, the oldest resort in France.
Highlights of the Briançonnais
BriançonMedieval festival
Plunged into the heart of the Vauban ramparts, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Briançon’s Medieval Festival brings troubadours, craftsmen and knights back to life. Costumed parades, tournaments and old-fashioned stalls transform the town into a time machine.
Galibier passTour de France
On July 25, 2026, the Tour invites itself to the Briançonnais region for a mythical finale. After the giant Galibier, the roof of this 20226 edition, the riders will cross Villar-d’Arène and La Grave before braving the Col de Sarenne to reach Alpe d’Huez. A legendary stage on the eve of the finish on the Champs Élysées!
BriançonArtycolors festival
In Briançon, Arty Colors brings the Schappe and the ramparts to life: an arty weekend where concerts, street art and installations intermingle in a lively, festive fresco for all ages.
The stations
From the charm of the villages to the energy of the major ski areas, the Hautes-Alpes offers a wide choice of resorts to experience the mountains at your own pace. Downhill skiing, Nordic activities, hiking or summer adventures: there’s something for everyone, in the heart of unspoilt landscapes.
The largest ski area in the Southern AlpsSerre Chevalier
Starting in the heart of the town of Briançon, four villages linked into a single resort, for an XXL ski area.
The freeride MeccaLa Grave-La Meije
Riders from all over the world flock to the wild slopes of this unusual ski area in the Hautes-Alpes.
The deanMontgenèvre
Skiing between France and Italy, in France’s oldest resort.
The Briançonnais
in figures
| AREA | 83% of the department’s 5,549 km² are covered by forests and mountainous areas. | 843.8 KM² OF LAND |
| RESIDENTS | One of France’s most sparsely populated departments, the Hautes-Alpes has a population of 142,000. | 18 947 |
| TOURIST BEDS | There are 410,000 tourist beds throughout France. They generate 22 million overnight stays a year. | 90 000 |
Source: INSEE
“The mountains are a place of freedom, adventure and solitude.”
Need advice?
The tourist office,
your local ally
Good deals, ideas for activities, personalized advice: don’t hesitate to come and meet or contact the Tourist Office teams to make the most of your destination.
Montgenèvre
320 Rte d’Italie Espace Prarial, 05100 Montgenèvre
Serre Chevalier Briançon
Rue Centrale, 05100 Briançon
Hautes Vallées
La Clarée, La Grave, L’Izoard
38 route des grands cols RD 1091, 05320 La Grave
See also
Iconic
Winter Olympics 2030
