Fortifications of Vauban to Briançon, World heritage

Since July 2008, the Vauban fortifications in Briançon have been included on the prestigious list of World Heritage Sites alongside eleven other French sites grouped together in the Réseau des Sites Majeurs de Vauban.

Occupying a strategic position at an altitude of 1,326 metres, the upper town of Briançon, perched on a rocky outcrop, is a unique mountain fortification site. Encircled by ramparts designed by Vauban, it is itself crowned by high altitude forts making it impregnable. This majestic and imposing site allows us to understand the genius of adaptation shown by the famous military engineer of Louis XIV. Although a large part of these works was executed after his death, they were built according to his principles until 1734.
Seven works located in the commune have been privileged to obtain this recognition in view of their authenticity, their state of conservation, their representativeness and the policy of enhancement to which they are subject.

The urban enclosure and the intramural installations: the collegiate church, the Place d'Armes and the two powder magazines
This ensemble, designed by Vauban during his visits to Briançon in 1692 and 1700, was built to improve the town's defence following the incursions of the Duke of Savoy.

The fort of Salettes
This fort was envisaged by Vauban as early as 1692 to occupy the Poët replat, dangerously dominating the town. Its construction, starting in 1709, was guided by plans drawn up during his lifetime.

The Asfeld bridge
A true work of art, combining technical and aesthetic prowess, this bridge was built to link the upper town with the forts located on the left bank of the Durance.

The Trois Têtes fort
The pivot of Briançon's defensive system, this imposing fort replaced the entrenched camp on the Trois Têtes plateau, which Vauban considered so important for the town's defence, from 1721.
The fort Dauphin

Designed as an advanced sentinel in the chain of fortifications, this position ensured the crossing of fires with the fort des Salettes in order to prevent access to the town from the Chemin du Piémont.

The fort du Randouillet
Situated on a narrower and steeper position than the other works, this fort is developed on three platforms. Its main role was to prevent an attack by the assailant from the ridges.

The Y communication
An atypical work in the history of fortification, this covered passage had a double function: to ensure communication between the Trois Têtes fort and the Randouillet fort while blocking the Fontchristiane valley.
This total adaptation to the site, with a staggering of the defences designed to ensure mutual flanking, created an exceptional fortified landscape that justifies Vauban's fortifications in Briançon finding their place on the "roof of the world" in July 2008.