What are the most spectacular roads in France?
France is a paradise for the lovers of the most spectacular roads, providing endless experiences for each driver. From stunning balcony roads, mountain passes and coastal drives, to roads disappearing with the tides, it hosts more than 750 roads worth the drive.
Located in the eastern part of Europe, France covers an area of 551,695 square kilometers and shares borders with 7 countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Andorra. With high mountains in the Alps and the Pyrenees, the roads of the country are famous worldwide because of the Tour de France, the most important cycling race.
When travelling to the country, be sure to experience a drive through the Best Balcony Roads. Dramatically carved out rock on the side of mountains, the balcony roads are a unique experience for any rider.
The country also hosts iconic roads, known worldwide, including Col du Chaussy, a mountain pass at 1,533m (5,029ft) above sea level, famous for the “Lacets de Montvernier,” a special 3 km stretch with 17 hairpins as the road virtually climbs a cliff; or Col de Turini, a Treacherous Alpine Road with a Legendary Driving History, one of the most dangerous and challenging stages of the Monte Carlo Rally and one of the most scenic drives in the world. For those preferring another kind of experience, don’t forget to drive Passage du Gois, the Tide-Covered Road. It’s a natural passage flooded twice a day by the high tide leading to the island of Noirmoutier.
Col du Souchet
Col du Souchet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.365m (7,759ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Fort de Lenlon
Fort de Lenlon is a military fortress at an elevation of 2.508m (8,228ft) above the sea level, located in the Dauphiné region of southeastern France.
Col du Val d'Ese
Col du Val d'Ese is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.615m (5,298ft) above the sea level, located between the valleys of Prunelli and Taravo, in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica.
Road trip guide: Conquering Col de l’Eychauda
Col de l’Eychauda is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.433m (7,982ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Col du Ranfolly
Col du Ranfolly is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.650m (5,413ft)above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
A new paved road to Col de la Loze
Col de la Loze is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.308m (7,572ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Les Grandes Platières
Les Grandes Platières is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.473m (8,113ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.
Pic de Chabrières is a Most Tricky Scenic Drive
Pic de Chabrières is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.701m (8,861ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Grande Motte
Grande Motte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.030m (9,940ft) above the sea level, located in Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Roche Madeleine
Roche Madeleine is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.370m (7,775ft) above the sea level located in the French Alps, near the border with Italy, within the Mercantour National Park on the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Col du Jovet
Col du Jovet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.404m (7,887ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Col du Mont Noir
Col du Mont Noir is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.421m above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
A Most Tricky Scenic Drive to Lac de la Glère
Lac de la Glère is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.152m (7,060ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitanie region of south-western France.
Les 12 lacets de Ceillac: a breathtaking road with 12 challenging hairpins
Located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, Les 12 lacets de Ceillac is a collection of 12 hairpin turns on the road to the small town of Ceillac.
The narrow D102 is a dangerous balcony road
D102 is a short mountain road located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in southeastern France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.
Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette
Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette is a high mountain sanctuary at an elevation of 1.787m (5,862ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
Mont Caume, a narrow and winding mountain road
Mont Caume is a mountain pass at an elevation of 801m (2,627ft) above the sea level, located in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.
Col de Furfande
Col de Furfande is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.500m (8,202ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of south-eastern France.
Col de Savel
Col de Savel is a mountain pass at an elevation of 972m (3,188ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Col de Bousson
Col de Bousson is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.154m (7,066ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, between France and Italy.
Vallon de la Gordolasque
Vallon de la Gordolasque is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.689m (5,541ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Hourquette d'Ancizan
Hourquette d'Ancizan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.564m (5,131ft) above the sea level, located in the French Pyrenees in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées.
Pas de l'Âne
Pas de l'Âne is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.091m (6,860ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Col de la Pertie
Col de la Pertie is a mountain pass at an elevation of 972m (3,188ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.
Mont Tauch
The Mont Tauch is a mountain pass at an elevation of 871m (2,857ft) above the sea level, located in the Aude department in southern France.
Col de la Pousterle
Col de la Pousterle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.763m (5,784ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Cugnai Lift
Cugnai Lift is a chair lift for skiers at an elevation of 2.884m (9,471ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department of southeastern France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Fort de Ronce
Fort de Ronce is a high mountain fortress at an elevation of 2.294m (7,526ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Coll de Creu
Coll de Creu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.708m (5,603ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain.
Col de la Baume
Col de la Baume is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.068m (3,503ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.
Col de Saint-Alexis
Col de Saint-Alexis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.222m (4,009ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Drôme in southeastern France.
Col de Casardo
Col de Casardo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.093m (3,585ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica.
Lac de Bious-Artigues
Lac de Bious-Artigues is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.416m (4,646ft) above the sea level, located in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées, southwestern France.
Pas du Roc
Pas du Roc is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.339m (7,673ft) above the sea level, located on the Plateau des Glieres area in Haute-Savoie department of France.
Col de Castellaras
Col de Castellaras is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.248m (4,094ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Col de Muse
Col de Muse is a mountain pass at an elevation of 932m (3,057ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in the Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.
Col du Palet
Col du Palet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.658m (8,720ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.
Bellevarde
Bellevarde is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.783m (9,130ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Lac de Bise
Lac de Bise is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.502m (4,928ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Col des Iris
Col des Iris is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.030m (6,660ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, in south-western France.
Col de Sarraut
Col de Sarraut is a mountain pass at an elevation of 980m (3,215ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.
Col de Gembre
Col de Gembre is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.635m (5,364ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.
Col de Menté
Col de Menté is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.347m (4,419ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France.
Gorges d'Omblèze, a French balcony road
Gorges d'Omblèze is a spectacular canyon carved into the limestone by La Gervanne river in the Drôme department in southeastern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
Col des Garcinets
Col des Garcinets is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.185m (3,887ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.