Often considered the highest town in France (apart from mountain villages) and the closest to the Italian border, Briançon was fortified from 1689 under the orders of Vauban to protect the Durance valley and the road leading to Turin. In the second half of the 19th century, three forts, some forty batteries, five blockhouses, various high-altitude barracks, and rock stores were built. At the start of the 20th century, the stronghold's garrison numbered 647 officers, 28,389 men, 1,949 horses, 69 cars, and an armament of 269 pieces of artillery.