Briançon to Vaujany France

Travelled:89km
Visited: Briançon, le Bourg d'Oisans
Stay: Vaujany-aire, free parking and services GPS N45°09.410' E6°04.803'

We spent the morning in Briançon walking around the old quarter, the Fort du Chateau and did a tour of one of the forts, Fort Salettes. Briançon is one of the main crossroads in the centre of the Alps, lying where 5 valleys meet. Thus due to its position and the fact it is surrounded by mountains, it was difficult to defend. After it was attacked by the Duke of Savoy in the 17th century, Vauban was commissioned by King Louis XIVth to fortify the town. Forts were built in strategic positions that successfully discouraged any more attacks. During WWII it was occupied by the Germans. Of course the history of Briançon started in the early 13th Century and was renown for its commerce.

After our tour we had lunch in one of the many restaurants and then returned to Bluey in the camping car parking area close by. 

We decided to double back to le Bourg d'Oisans via the N91. We stopped at the supermarket before having a stroll through the touristy town. The carpark did not look too inviting to stay for the night, so we drove an extra half hour to the pretty alpine village of Vaujany that we had visited a few days ago via the gondola from Alpe d'Huez. 

The circus is in town!