Located in the Hautes-Alpes department at an altitude of 1,326 meters, Briançon is the highest town in the European Union. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, various military structures were built in order to protect the town, such as the Fort des Salettes, the Fort des Trois Têtes, and the Fort du Randouillet. Art and history are today an integral part of the town’s heritage; it is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The heart of Briançon is in the picturesque citadel of Vauban, at the foot of the castle. There you can admire its various historical monuments such as Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, the Church of the Cordeliers, the colorful old houses, Place d’Armes, or the fountains and sundials that decorate the alleys.
Casita helps you get your perfect home away from home by giving you tens of hundreds of options for student accommodation in Briançon. Whether you visit our website or contact our multilingual support team, you will surely find that getting your room has never been easier.
Why Book Student Accommodation in Briançon?
An ancient city with rich historical heritage, Briancon was mentioned for the first time in the 8th century B.C. Starting from its creation, this city was performing the role of a powerful military base, putting a number of 8 forts rising proudly on the hills of Alps that tourists can visit today. These forts are connected with each other through a chain of underground galleries making the city even more unassailable.
In winter, Briançon turns into a real ski resort. Particularly popular, it is part of Serre Chevalier Vallée. The ski area, which has more than 1,000 km of slopes, is located at the gates of the Écrins National Park, dominated by Mont Prorel. Its geographic location, close to the Italian border on one side and Provence on the other side, makes it a special place. The exceptional natural environment of Briançon allows people to practice many outdoor sports such as hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, canoeing and rafting besides skiing in winter.
Besides its first-rate alpine skiing tracks, modern Briancon is also famous for its great sanatoria. Many tourists choose them for their family rest. The service level and facility range in Briancon sanatoria can be compared to the prestigious hotels. The resort is famous for its salubrious climate and that is why mountain walks can be added to the wellness rest. Also, the town comes alive each year to the rhythm of its events which include the Altitude Jazz Festival, the medieval festival and the Offenbachiades.
Must-Visit Places in Briançon
While in Briançon, you can visit the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame, which is classified as a historical monument. Dating from the 18th century, it was built under the supervision of Vauban to replace an old parish church destroyed during the construction of the ramparts. The building consists of two twin towers. One of them has a baroque sundial, one of the most beautiful in the Alps, and the other one has a clock. The monument combines classical French architecture with Italian influences.
Drop by Fort des Salettes on the heights of Briançon, at an altitude of 1,538 meters. It was built to protect the town from the Italian enemy troops. Vauban drew the plans during the 18th century. Inspired by medieval towers, the building can accommodate a hundred people on two levels. In the middle of the 19th century, the fort was reinforced with a bastioned enclosure, bunkers and a gunpowder magazine. Today the Fort is well preserved. The decorations with the royal coats of arms can still be seen. The building is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Network of Vauban’s Major Sites.
For museum lovers, The Briançon Mine Museum houses three permanent exhibitions on country mining, the geology of the coalfields and the fossils of the coal of Briançon. Every year, temporary exhibitions are organized to recount the history of the Briançon region, which is strongly marked by mining. During your visit, you can also discover models of country mines, mining objects, an interactive terminal to learn more about the mines, canals, ovens and geological games for young and old alike.
You can also, during your stay in the mountains, discover the nearby tourist destinations such as Le Monêtier-les-Bains, Saint-Chaffrey, Montgenèvre, and the Queyras Regional Nature Park.
Transportation in Briançon
Since Briançon is a ski resort town, walking is easy and everything is close. However, there are many free ski buses that link the valley villages; if the schedule of these buses does not fit you best, paid buses are available as well. Taxi services are also available across the town.
You can also hire a car for your use, there are a number of fantastic car rental companies based in Europe. Keep in mind that car parking at all base areas comes at a cost and can be limited though.
Nearby Student Accommodation In France
Besides having facilities for student accommodation in Briançon, Casita also offers student accommodation in other French cities some of these cities are:
Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes and Toulouse.