Crowned “the highest town in Europe,” Briancon is a stunning fortress town in France that was walled by Vauban. Divided into two sections: The upper town is the walled area at the top that includes the Fort du Chateau fortress at the peak, and the lower town is located at the crossroads of the Guisane and Durance rivers.

Park your rental car at the top of the town and explore your way down! Enter the fortified area through one of two impressive drawbridge entrances and be sure to check out the gargouille streets - a small canal that runs down the middle of a street. Briancon is one of only two towns in all of France that still offers visitors real examples of gargouilles.

The lower town offers a variety of cafes, restaurants and shops. The town market is also located here, while kayakers can often be seen paddling down the river Durance. Above the town, visitors can tour the Vauban fortifications of Fort du Chateau. Access to the citadel is free, but there is a fee to enter the top part and the underground passages