Things to Do in Briançon Town — Upper Town, Citadel & Year-Round Activities

The upper town (Ville Haute) sits inside UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications built between 1692 and 1734. At 1,326m it is the highest city in France; its ramparts, fortified gateways, and preserved medieval streets were protected as a World Heritage Site in 2008. For anyone in the valley who has not skied or hiked up there, it is worth half a day regardless of season.

The Vauban Upper Town

• Enter through the Porte Pignerol, the main fortified gateway
• Walk the Grand Rue, the main pedestrian street lined with fountains and historic buildings
• Collégiale Notre-Dame is the main church, 18th-century with a fortified bell tower
• Rampart walk is a circuit of the outer walls with panoramic valley views
• Guided citadel tours available from the tourist office (summer only)

Year-Round Activities in Town

• Restaurant dining in atmospheric stone-walled restaurants in the old town
• Shopping on Grand Rue with artisan shops, local produce, and outdoor gear
• Musée de Briançon covers local history and Vauban fortifications (check seasonal opening)
• Ice rink in winter, in the lower town near the centre
• Les Grands Bains du Monêtier thermal baths, year-round, 15 minutes by car

Access to the Upper Town

• From the lower town (Briançon Sainte-Catherine area) it is a 15-minute walk uphill
• Several car parks sit at the base of the ramparts; parking is paid in peak season
• No cars inside the upper town; pedestrian only within the walls
• Bus Line C connects Chantemerle and Villeneuve to Briançon

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Briançon upper town worth visiting?

Yes. The rampart walk alone — panoramic views over the Durance valley, 17th-century stonework, well-preserved gates — is worth the climb up. The Grand Rue and Collégiale Notre-Dame fill out a 2–3 hour visit. It tends to be quieter in the morning before the ski day crowds come through.