BRIANÇON (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France), the fortified city of Vauban

It was Vauban (17^th century), who in leaving his mark here as wherever he applied his genius, put his fortifications on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. But despite the austere exterior, designed to withstand sieges rather than to welcome tourists, once past the city’s drawbridge and gate, the visitor discovers a lively, picturesque alpine town with its steep streets, the severe façades of its Italianate houses, decorated in the washed out ochre and peach tones of Provence, featuring  ancient water fountains, sundials, two unique open water canals...

With its altitude of 1326 m, Briançon is the highest city in Europe. Located on the crossroads of five valleys at the Franco-Italian border, its strategic position was highly appreciated since antiquity. In Roman times it was known as Brigantium.