The French town of Briançon (pop. 12,000), one of the highest towns in Europe (1200 - 1326 m above sea level), is the capital of the Briançonnais and is picturesquely situated above the confluence of the Durance and Guisane rivers. In 2008, the fortress of Briançon was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, along with other sites by Vauban's master builder spread throughout France.
The oldest Rosenheim town twinning was founded in 1974 with the aim of fostering and promoting friendly relations between Rosenheim and Briançon and their citizens and contributing to a better mutual understanding between the countries. Since 1988, there has been an annual student exchange between the Karolinengymnasium and the Collège/Lyćee Briançon. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the town twinning, the Förderverein Städtepartnerschaft Briançon - Rosenheim e. V. was founded in 2014. In addition to regular meetings, the association organizes reciprocal visits between the twin towns in summer and winter. The office is integrated in the cultural office.
Places of interest in Briançon
Upper town:
Border town in the time of Louis XIV. Unlike Briançon-Ste-Cathérine, the lower town, Briançon-Vauban has preserved its former townscape. Between the gates "Porte de Pignerol" and the "Porte d' Embrun", the old town stretches out with a maze of narrow, steep streets crossed by the "Grand-Rue" with the stream "Gargouille".
Place d' Armes:
A square that gives a taste of Provence. The facades in warm colors and the café terraces dominated by two sundials give the square a southern atmosphere. In the center, Vauban had a well dug, which proved extremely useful during the siege in 1815. Eglise Notre-Dame:
Built by Vauban in 1718, this fortified church is located in the area of the fortifications.
Pont d' Asfeld:
Built in 1734, the bridge spans the Durance in a single arch 40 m wide and 56 m high. Serre-Chevalier and Montgenèvre:
Major winter resorts are located near Briançon.
