Gap (French pronunciation: [ɡap], Occitan: [ˈɡap]) is the prefecture of the department of Hautes-Alpes, in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Southeastern France.

[3] The first attestation of the name of the city is located in the ancient texts as Vappincum, later reduced to Vappum, the form of Gap is found in the 13th century.

[4] The toponym Vappincum is analyzed on the basis of a radical Vapp- unknown meaning, and the suffix -incu of Ligurian origin found in Provence and the Massif central to the Alps (cf.

[13] The Gapençais [fr] was then part of the territory of the Tricorii, a Gallic people who were Romanised during the conquest of Gallia Narbonensis in 125-124 BC, and whose capitals were Luc-en-Diois and Vaison.

[22] In the 14th century, the city took advantage of the benefits of the installation of the Popes in Avignon, which brought a more frequent passage of travellers to develop a craft of wool and skins, which made it thrive.

On the night of 3 January 1577, François Philibert, known as Cadet de Charance, opened the Saint-Arey gate, and allowed him to attack the city by surprise.

In 1692, the troops of the Piedmontese [fr] ruler Victor Amadeus II, committed with the League of Augsburg, against France of Louis XIV, captured the city, abandoned by its inhabitants, on 29 August.

Napoleon I left Elba in February 1815 and stopped at Gap on 5 March 1815 with 40 horsemen and 10 grenadiers, where he had thousands of copies of his Proclamations printed.

Acknowledging the reception of the population of these regions, he left the Haut-Alpins with the following message: The inhabitants of the departments of the high and low Alps, citizens, I was deeply touched by all the feelings that you have shown me, your wishes are granted.

My return banishes all your concerns; it ensures the conservation of all properties, equality among all classes and the rights you have enjoyed for the last 25 years, and after which our fathers have so yearned, forming today a part of your existence.

A mid-August 1944, Drouot-L'Hermine, who lost his right-hand man, Paul Héraud [fr], a few days earlier, sent two emissaries to negotiate the surrender of the Germans.

The Germans were convinced of facing a large-scale uprising, and agreed to lay down their weapons provided that it was to regular troops (they refused, therefore, to surrender to the Resistance).

Shots echoed in the valley, and the Germans immediately identified the characteristic sound of a tank, a weapon that the guerrillas did not hold.

745 metres (2,400 ft) above sea level, at the right bank of the river Luye [fr], close to where it joins the Durance to the north, Gap is in the midst of a rich and preserved natural environment, south-west of the Écrins National Park, south-east of the Dévoluy massif and west of the Lac de Serre-Ponçon.

[43] In the northwestern part are the harder rocks of lighter colours, Tithonian limestone, formed in places of rocky bars or cornices.

In the Northwest of the commune (located on the other side of the col de Gleize) lie the Petit Buëch [fr] sources.

If these conditions are synonymous with freshness in autumn and spring, and bright cold in the winter, they are always accompanied by a perfectly sunny and clear atmosphere above the city.

Although it has been desired by elected officials for the voters and the State, in order to divert trucks from the A7, the absence of this highway has not created the announced decline.

The company Air Alpes operated a DHC-6 Twin otter, with a regular service between Paris-Le Bourget and Gap from 1973 to 1977, since abandoned.

During the summer months, the association of merchants of the town centre Les Vitrines de Gap organises Nocturnes.

[73] The Quattro, a theatre with retractable tiered seating, organises all kinds of events, namely concerts, performances, business seminars, etc.

Clubs: The town of Gap regularly hosts stages of the Tour de France and the Critérium du Dauphiné in cycling, as well as the Monte Carlo Rally in motorsport.

The sports facilities in Gap include stadiums, gymnasiums, swimming pools, ice rink, multi-purpose room (bowling), and tennis courts.

The fitness centre Gap-Bayard, located on the Bayard plateau, has an 18-hole golf course that operates in summer and is a base for cross-country skiing in winter.

In October 2004, the association Objective JO 2018 worked for a French candidacy of the Alpes du Sud [fr], at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Gap withdrew in October 2008 and was replaced by the municipality of Pelvoux and the Communauté de communes du Pays des Écrins [fr].

[76] The town of Gap hosted the final of the Coupe de France des rallyes [fr] amateurs during the autumn of 2012.

The transaction was facilitated by the Bitcoinimmo project, which leverages blockchain technology and was validated by a notary with support from the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations.

This event marks a notable milestone in cryptocurrency adoption within the French real estate market, potentially paving the way for future digital currency property transactions.

See also: Domaine de Charance [fr] Military units have been stationed at Gap: 4th Mountain Infantry Battalion (4th Rch) since 1983.