Gap

France's highest prefecture sits in a mountain valley in the southern Alps, with a walkable centre that supports a dense food-and-drink scene and access to scenic highland terrain on all sides. Named the sportiest city in France by L'Équipe in 2013, Gap is also a gateway to the Écrins Massif and carries the designation Alpine Town of the Year 2002.

• Population42,715
• Nearest water0.2 km
• Nearest mountain4.6 km
• UNESCO within 50 km2