The Briançon fortifications

Well situated at the foot of a pass and close to a crossroad, the Briançon rock, which dominates the Durance, was fortified by the Celts, then the Romans. The Dauphins built a chateau here, which throughtout the wars of religion, was suject to several sieges.
Over the centuries, Briançon has become a sumptuous stronghold. It was towards the end of the XVIIth c. that fortification work was intensified, following the invasion of Haut-Dauphiné by the Duke of Savoie in 1692.

Surprised by vunerability of the this position, Vauban planned a reinforced project enclosure for Briançon (one can observe the "perpendicular strutted" walls protecting the defenders from the line of fire and the reduction of the Embrun front in three superposed lines.

The Louis XV's engineers designed and realized a chain of forts, from Tetes and Randouillet right up to Infernet, opening out onto the Durance the Asfeld bridge for easier access.
After 1875, a series of new high-ranging forts crowned Briançon (Granon, Janus, Gondran, Neufbrisach, etc...). Today, the Hautes-Aples are dotted with a string of unusual fortifications which are remarkable settings of a memorable past.