{"id":107559,"date":"2025-11-18T10:48:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T09:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hautes-alpes.net\/brianconnais\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T13:34:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T11:34:17","slug":"brianconnais","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hautes-alpes.net\/en\/destinations-hautes-alpes\/brianconnais\/","title":{"rendered":"Brian\u00e7onnais"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Home<\/a><\/span> Destinations – Hautes-Alpes<\/a><\/span> Destinations – Hautes-Alpes<\/a><\/span> Brian\u00e7onnais<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

Brian\u00e7onnais<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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High-altitude crossroads and citadel of the Alps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Brian\u00e7onnais region rises up like a balcony of stone and light, at the gateway to Italy<\/strong>, a tipping point between the Southern and Northern Alps, blending age-old heritage and high mountains. The sub-prefecture of the Hautes-Alpes, Brian\u00e7on, a town with the “Ville et Pays d’art et d’histoire” label<\/strong>, unfurls its steep streets and Vauban fortifications<\/strong>, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, against a backdrop of towering peaks. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Brian\u00e7on’s Collegiate Church<\/strong> stands like a stone beacon in Europe’s highest city.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Land of passage<\/div>

The shifting history of borders and migrations has shaped this territory.<\/p><\/div>

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and meeting places <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

High altitude is first and foremost a culture, a demand, an ancient link with neighboring Italy. Glaciers <\/strong>watch over the valleys, the refuges<\/strong> <\/a>welcome mountaineers and hikers on the trails of the Ecrins<\/a> National Park<\/strong>. The region has always been an open frontier, combining exchanges, cross-fertilization and challenges over the seasons and centuries. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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P. Domeyne – AD05<\/div><\/div>

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High valleys<\/strong>exceptional landscapes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heading north, the Clar\u00e9e valley<\/strong> unfurls its flower-filled meadows, wooden chalets and clear waters, an unspoilt natural sanctuary. Further afield, the Jardin du Lautaret<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>, meanwhile, write the history of the Tour de France<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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P. Domeyne<\/div><\/div>

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Between Durance <\/strong>and Guisane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Brian\u00e7on 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<\/strong> tell the story of centuries of passage and resistance. In winter, the resorts of Serre Chevalier Brian\u00e7on<\/a>, Montgen\u00e8vre <\/a>and La Grave-La Meije<\/a><\/strong> bring this high-altitude region to life, combining the excitement of winter sports with the art of mountain living. The Grands Bains du Mon\u00eatier, a temple to well-being<\/a>, offers a thermal stopover facing the peaks, where water gushes naturally hot from the bowels of the mountain. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Terre de sport<\/strong>Olympic Games 2030 in sight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Brian\u00e7onnais is an inexhaustible playground and a call to excel. Here, V\u00e9drines, M\u00e9nadier, Alphand, Bauchet and many others<\/strong>, inspired by the giants of the \u00c9crins, 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<\/a>.<\/strong> An Olympic village at the Fort des T\u00eates in Brian\u00e7on and 26 freestyle ski and snowboard races at Serre Chevalier<\/a>, the largest resort in the Southern Alps, and Montgen\u00e8vre<\/a>, the oldest resort in France. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Agence ZOOM<\/div><\/div>

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Highlights of the Brian\u00e7onnais<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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Morel<\/div><\/div>

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Serre ChevalierGrand<\/em>prix de Serre Chevalier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A friendly atmosphere, thrills and a grandiose setting: a 100% mountain cocktail to the sound of the gentle or crazy rides of the thousands of participants in the Grand Prix de Serre Che’.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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La 1000 pattes<\/div><\/div>

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Montgen\u00e8vreLa<\/em>1 000 pattes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The famous 1000 pattes, France’s largest gathering of young skiers, is the last major event of the year, and is above all a time for sharing and conviviality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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T.Blais<\/div><\/div>

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La Grave – La MeijeDerby<\/em>de La Meije<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A mythical descent from the glaciers of La Grave to the village, where you set off without beacons to draw your own line in the powder. Skis, snowboards, telemark skis, monoskis or homemade contraptions: anything goes, as long as it’s gliding and a good dose of daring. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The stations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the charm of the villages<\/strong> to the energy of the major ski areas,<\/strong> the Hautes-Alpes<\/strong> offers a wide choice of resorts to experience the mountains at your own pace. Downhill skiing, Nordic activities, hiking<\/strong> or summer adventures:<\/strong> there’s something for everyone, in the heart of unspoilt landscapes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Alpes Photographies<\/div><\/div>

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The largest ski area in the Southern Alps<\/em>Serre Chevalier<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starting in the heart of the town of Brian\u00e7on, four villages linked into a single resort, for an XXL ski area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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more info<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
\u25b6 SEE THE Webcam<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
\u25b6 SEE THE SNOWLETTER<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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B. Bodin<\/div><\/div>

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The freeride Mecca<\/em>La Grave-La Meije<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Riders from all over the world flock to the wild slopes of this unusual ski area in the Hautes-Alpes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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more info<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
\u25b6 SEE THE Webcam<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
\u25b6 SEE THE SNOWLETTER<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Alpes Photographies<\/div><\/div>

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The dean<\/em>Montgen\u00e8vre<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Skiing between France and Italy, in France’s oldest resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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more info<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
\u25b6 SEE THE Webcam<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n
\u25b6 SEE THE SNOWLETTER<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Brian\u00e7onnais in figures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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AREA<\/strong><\/td>83% of the department’s 5,549 km\u00b2 are covered by forests and mountainous areas.<\/td>843.8 KM\u00b2 OF LAND<\/td><\/tr>
RESIDENTS<\/strong><\/td>One of France’s most sparsely populated departments, the Hautes-Alpes has a population of 142,000.<\/td>18 947<\/td><\/tr>
TOURIST BEDS<\/strong><\/td>There are 410,000 tourist beds throughout France. They generate 22 million overnight stays a year. <\/td>90 000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source: INSEE<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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