Briançon

Encyclopedia : B : BR : BRI : Briançon

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Briançon is a town and commune in the French département of Hautes-Alpes (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), of which it is the sous-préfecture. It is the highest city in Europe at 1,350 meters.

Sights

The historical center is a fortress town, built by Vauban to defend the region from Austrians in the 17th century. The town was defended by many other fortresses constructed in the mountains that surround the city.

Briançon is located close to the Parc National des Ecrins.

Miscellaneous

Natives of Briançon

• Oronce Fine (1494-1555), mathematician and cartographer
• Luc Alphand (born 1965), professional alpine skier, won world cup (overall title) in 1997; won French Paris-Dakar as race driver in 2006

Twin town

Briançon is twinned with Rosenheim (southeast of Munich), since 1974.

External links

• [Tourist office website] (in French)
• [unofficial town website] (in French)
• [Webpage about the fortifications]

 

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