There are a number of books now which detail the via Ferrata, but at this time it was an underground movement, with information generally only available at the Guides Bureau.
I had first met these in the Italian Dolomites, where it was more a "protected path", but here we were into more serious terrain ... we were not entirely sure what it would lead to, but it would be fun finding out.
The parking (in those days) was up a narrow back street, and on the side of the track... not sure that leaving the car there would be safe, we retreated to the car park at the top of town and walked in.
Having walked up the side of the mountain, we came across a very modest sign to show the start of the route, and the cable hidden behind a rock.The route went almost straight up the ridge overlooking Briancon. There was a plethora of steps, cemented into the rock face, and differing to the Italian routes, the cable went continuously all along.
There were some fantastic positions as the sun came out and we worked upwards.
At a point two thirds the way up there was a little bridge that lead back tot he main ridge. From here it was more of the same to the top.The descent was down the footpath leading around the Eastern side and back down through the woods to the road at the bottom and hence back to the car.
A very pleasant excursion and made the most of the improving day.
The technique required to climb these routes is not too difficult, and the safety of the wire ropes allows one to get into places that would not normally be accessible without a lot of skill and climbing