Embrun and its past

 Embrun and its past
 

The town of Embrun is perched on a rocky cliff dominating the Durance valley. For its first settlers - the Celts - this was a strategic site. It's name comes from two words: Ebr - water and Dunum - elevation.

At the time of the Roman conquest of Europe Embrun became the capital of the Cottian Alps and capital of the Maritime Alps. In 313 Christianity became the official religion and Embrun became an important ecclesiastical centre up until the French Revolution. From the IXth century it was the seat of the Archbishop and an influent religious town.