Briançon
From Freepedia
- The title of this article contains the character ç. Where it is unavailable or not desired, the name may be given as Briancon.
| Briançon | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Région | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
| Département | Hautes-Alpes |
| Arrondissement | Briançon |
| Canton | Chief town of 2 cantons |
| INSEE Code | 05023 |
| Postal code | 05100 |
| Mayor Term of office | Alain Bayrou 2005-2007 |
| Intercommunality | Communauté de communes du Briançonnais |
| Longitude | 06° 38' 08" E |
| Latitude | 44°53'47" N |
| Altitude | average: n. c. minimum: 1,167 m maximum: 2,540 m |
| Area | 2,807 ha / 28.07 km² |
| Population without double-counting | 10,737 (1999) |
| Population density | 382.5 pers/km² |
Image:Place forte Briancon (FR-05100).jpg
Briançon is a town and commune in the French départment of Hautes-Alpes (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), of which it is the sous-préfecture. It is the highest city in Europe at 1350 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.
Natives of Briançon
- Oronce Fine (1494-1555), mathematician and cartographer
External links
- Tourist office website (in French)
- unofficial town website (in French)
