Info on Briancon please

[oblio]

Hi folks

Appealing to the PH masses for help again...can anyone advise on the town of Briancon? In particular the steepness of the hills in the town, for walking?

My wife has some mobility issues so from researching the interweb it would appear that it would be better for us to stay at the top of the hill in the old town (close to bars,restaurants etc) rather than outside in the lower-down-the-hill newer part. Research would suggest that the hill is quite steep.

Does anyone have experience of the nature of the hills in the town and also experience of any hotels/B&B's in Briancon as well?

Thanks in advance

[JONSCZ]

Hi matey.
Me again.
There don't seem to be many videos on youtube showing the town, but have you seen these (not mine!) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gHljuQL5yo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZfewglJM0w&fea...
Might give you some idea of the steepness of the town - it can be quite steep in places.
In terms of hotels, we stayed at the Mercure (next door to the Ibis) which is in the modern part of town. Like all of these types of hotel, it was perfectly decent, but lacks any kind of soul. (We stay in Accor hotels all the time (hence my posting on your 'Annecy' thread) if available as Mrs jonscz works in the travel industry and we get great deals - so I'm not really the person to give recommendations for 'character hotels'...!!!).
Hopefully this will 'bump' your thread up the page though, and someone who stays in more 'traditional' hotels (or someone who's not as tight as me!!!) will be along soon.
Cheers,
Jon

(edited to add - In my very 1st post about your trip, I remember I mentioned a very small village just outside Val D'Isere that I said was lovely for just a stroll around / explore and forgot the name - I've just found it - Bonneval-sur-Arc - check out the photo on this Route de Grandes Alpes website - http://www.mountainpassions.com/summer/scenic_tour... As the site describes it - One of the most beautiful and best-preserved mountain villages in France). It's 30 KM south of Val on the D902. Really quite small village and we initially went straight past, but decided to double back and have an explore - it's really a hidden gem if you're anywhere near and not steep or hilly).

Edited by JONSCZ on Sunday 22 January 21:44

[don logan]

Hello again!!!!!!!

Old Briancon is on a VERY steep hill, I`ve only had a quick look around Briancon itself but it is pretty much on a valley floor!

It`s a shame that mobility is an problem because there is a great little walk to a very high, very old bridge behind the old town!

[don logan]

JONSCZ said:

Hi matey.
Me again.
There don't seem to be many videos on youtube showing the town, but have you seen these (not mine!) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gHljuQL5yo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZfewglJM0w&fea...
Might give you some idea of the steepness of the town - it can be quite steep in places.
In terms of hotels, we stayed at the Mercure (next door to the Ibis) which is in the modern part of town. Like all of these types of hotel, it was perfectly decent, but lacks any kind of soul. (We stay in Accor hotels all the time (hence my posting on your 'Annecy' thread) if available as Mrs jonscz works in the travel industry and we get great deals - so I'm not really the person to give recommendations for 'character hotels'...!!!).
Hopefully this will 'bump' your thread up the page though, and someone who stays in more 'traditional' hotels (or someone who's not as tight as me!!!) will be along soon.
Cheers,
Jon

(edited to add - In my very 1st post about your trip, I remember I mentioned a very small village just outside Val D'Isere that I said was lovely for just a stroll around / explore and forgot the name - I've just found it - Bonneval-sur-Arc - check out the photo on this Route de Grandes Alpes website - http://www.mountainpassions.com/summer/scenic_tour... As the site describes it - One of the most beautiful and best-preserved mountain villages in France). It's 30 KM south of Val on the D902. Really quite small village and we initially went straight past, but decided to double back and have an explore - it's really a hidden gem if you're anywhere near and not steep or hilly).

I had the most amazing omelette in Bonneval-sur-Arc in September!!!!!!!!

I did exactly the same thing, drove past I as I have done lots of times and decided to turn around and go back, the place we ate was the first place on the left as you go BACK to it, so it`s the last place on the right coming FROM Val! (tables and chairs outside and a very friendly young owner)

Edited by JONSCZ on Sunday 22 January 21:44

[oblio]

Cheers chaps

I have found a hotel up next to the top of the town with parking - so am sorted

The trip is taking shape nicely now...

One more question to ask though - see next thread