Major city · France
Briançon
Use Briançon as a base for Serre-Chevalier skiing or summer hiking: 2–3 nights in winter, 1–2 nights in summer. A day-trip from the valley floor works only if you drive.
Briançon is the highest town in France (1,326 m) and a UNESCO-listed Vauban fortress town. It sits at the entrance to the Serre-Chevalier ski area and the Écrins National Park. Most travellers use it as a base for winter sports or summer hiking; the town itself can be seen in a half-day walk.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Dec–Apr for skiing; Jun–Sep for hiking
- avoid Nov (many lifts closed, weather unsettled)
- Airports
- LYS · TRS · MXP · GNB
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Briançon17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Briançon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyBriançon is safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 15 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLYS Lyon-Saint Exupéry (About 3 h by car).
- Getting aroundThe old town is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (demi, 25 cl)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Grenoble€20–30 (≈ US$25–35) (check)
- Budget bedSelf-catering apartment (2–4 people), a night, per room€80 (≈ US$95)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a hotel or gîte, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedDouble room in a hotel or gîte, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LYS Lyon-Saint Exupéry (About 3 h by car) · TRS Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia (About 1 h 45 min by car) · MXP Milan Malpensa (About 2 h 40 min by car) · GNB Grenoble Alpes-Isère (About 2 h 45 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Apr. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Briançon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is compact and walkable. A free shuttle (Navette) runs between the lower town and the Cité Vauban in season. For Serre-Chevalier, take the free ski bus or drive. A car is useful for exploring the valleys.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15 min
Free ski bus or 10 min drive
One of the largest ski areas in the Alps; 250 km (155 mi) of slopes.One of the largest ski areas in the Alps; 155 mi (250 km) of slopes.
Écrins National Park
goDoor to door: 30–45 min
D994 towards La Grave or D902 towards Le Monêtier
Alpine hiking, glaciers and the Barre des Écrins (4,102 m).
Queyras Regional Park
goDoor to door: 1 h
D902 then D947 via Mont-Dauphin
Remote valleys, fortified village of Saint-Véran (highest in Europe).
Montgenèvre
goDoor to door: 20 min
N94 towards Italy, 15 min drive
Cross-border ski area; good for a half-day.
Door to door: 1 h
D902 then D947, about 45 min
Smaller ski area; worth combining with Queyras.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cité Vauban (old town)
Fortified hilltop; narrow streets, limited parking, best for atmosphere and walking access to restaurants.
Briançon centre (lower town)
Modern shops, supermarkets, easier parking; 10–15 min walk up to the old town.
Serre-Chevalier valley (Villeneuve, Le Monêtier)
Ski-in/ski-out; 5–15 min drive from Briançon.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–140 (≈ US$95–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a hotel or gîte1 × 2 nights × €100 | €200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Ski pass Serre-Chevalier, 1 day2 × €55 · check | €110 |
| Ski equipment hire, 1 day2 × €30 · check | €60 |
| Bus Grenoble–Briançon, one way2 × €25 · check | €50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €86 |
| Trip total≈ €237 per person per day, bed included | €946≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and ski passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Pizza (takeaway) | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Menu in a restaurant (starter + main) | €18–30 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Beer (demi, 25 cl) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Ski pass Serre-Chevalier, 1 day | €50–60 (≈ US$60–70) (check) |
| Bus from Grenoble | €20–30 (≈ US$25–35) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude (1,326 m) can affect sleep; drink water and take it easy the first day.
- Winter: snow chains or winter tyres required by law on mountain roads.
- Many restaurants close outside ski season; check ahead in May–June and October–November.
- The old town has steep cobbled streets; not ideal for heavy suitcases.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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BriançonBriançon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- European emergency112
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Paris; consulates in Lyon and Marseille. UK citizens: consulate in Marseille.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Grenoble → Briançon: about €25 (≈ US$30), 2 h 30 min (check)
- Bus Oulx (Italy) → Briançon: about €5 (≈ US$6), 30 min (check)
- Taxi from Briançon station to old town: €8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ? — How much? (kom-byen)
- Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay voo ahn-gleh)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twah-let)
- J'ai besoin d'un médecin — I need a doctor (zhay buh-zwan duhn mayd-san)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Briançon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr for skiing; Jun–Sep for hiking · avoid Nov (many lifts closed, weather unsettled) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Vauban fortifications, Serre-Chevalier ski area, Écrins National Park.
- Eat pages with seasonal opening dates.
- Winter road conditions widget (chains/tyres).
- Bus schedules from Grenoble, Marseille and Oulx.
Sources
Ask about Briançon
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