To the east, close to the Italian border, sits the highest town in Europe, Briancon. For the most part a nondescript modern sprawl, its virtue is the Ville Haute surrounded by grim Vauban-built ramparts. For more information on the town, see Franche Comte, the Doubs and Jura. From Briancon, the N94 leads over the Col de Montgenèvre into Italy. A more peaceful route across the border from Briancon is along the Vallée de la Clarée and over the Col d’Echelle to Bardonècchia.

To the south of Briancon lies the Queyras, much of it, now a regional park, remote and beautiful, full of rushing water and flowers.