Embrun's appearance as a fortress-city perched on a rocky platform and its natural protection made it the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes province in Roman times and then a significant ecclesiastical metropolis in the Middle Ages. The city was later fortified by Vauban in the 17th century. Located 24.8 mi (40 km) from Gap by the national road, the city of 6,335 inhabitants dominates the Durance plain and the body of water ending the Serre-Ponçon water reserve in the Hautes-Alpes department. Its climate as well as its privileged location between the largest artificial lake in Europe and the high mountains of the Parc des Écrins have earned Embrun the nickname of Nice of the Alps.