What are the most spectacular roads in France?

France is a true paradise for those wishing to experience the most spectacular roads, and it provides 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 listed as the most spectacular in the world.

Located in the western 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 traveling to the country, be sure to experience a drive through the best balcony roads. Dramatically carved out of 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, as 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 de La Buffere

An old military road to Col de La Buffere in the Alps

Col de Buffère is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.431m (7,975ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department, in France.

Col de la Paré

An old military road to the top of Col de la Pare

Col de la Paré is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.412m (7,913ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col d'Espréaux

Navigating the Road to Col d'Espreaux: Twists and Turns in the Alps

Col d'Espréaux is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.160m (3,805ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col des Lessières

Ultimate 4WD Destination: Col des Lessieres in the Alps

Col des Lessières is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,936m (9,632ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col de la Couillole

A curvy scenic road to Col de la Couillole

Col de la Couillole is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.678m (5,495ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. The road through the summit is part of the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col de Méhatché

A steep paved road to Col de Mehatche in the Pyrenees

Col de Méhatché is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 716m (2,349ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Col de la Légette

Driving the unpaved road to Col de la Legette in the French Alps

Col de la Légette is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.776m (5,826ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

D43 Road

D43 is a scenic balcony road in France

Located in the Lot department of France, driving on the D43 road is a thrilling experience. It's one of the famous balcony roads of France.

Col d'Errozaté

The road to Col d'Errozate is not recommended to newbies

Collado de Errozate-Col d'Errozate is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.076m (3,530ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Col de la Madeleine

The legendary Col de la Madeleine is one of the greatest cycling climbs

Col de la Madeleine is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,998m (6,555ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the most emblematic French Alps mountain passes.

Col du Sabot

Discovering the narrow steep road to Col du Sabot in France

Col du Sabot is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.100m (6,889ft) above sea level, located in the Isère département in the Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Cormet de Roselend

A great road to Cormet de Roselend in the Alps

Cormet de Roselend is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,991m (6,532ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Pas de Peyrol-Puy Mary

Pas de Peyrol is the highest road pass in the Massif Central

Pas de Peyrol is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,589m (5,213ft) above sea level, located in the Cantal department of France.

Gorges de la Méouge

Driving the scenic balcony road through the Gorges de la Meouge

Gorges de la Méouge is an incredible canyon located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. The gorge is 7-kilometre (4.3 mi) long, carved by the Méouge which has its source in the Drôme. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. 

Pré de Madame Carle

How to get by car to Pre de Madame Carle?

Pré de Madame Carle is a natural site at an elevation of 1,879m (6,164ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Col de Bavella

Col de Bavella is one of the most scenic roads of Corsica

Col de Bavella is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.226m (4,022ft) above sea level, located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.

Lac de la Sassière

How to get by car to Lac de la Sassiere in the Tarentaise Valley?

Lac de la Sassière is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.462m (8,077ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in France.

Col de Caron

The breathtaking road to Col de Caron in the Massif de la Vanoise

Col de Caron is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.996m (9,829ft) above sea level, located in Orelle, a commune in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col des Glières

Travel guide to the top of Col des Glieres

Col des Glières is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,440m (4,724ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. There is a 2 km gravel stretch.

Gorges du Guiers Vif

Gorges du Guiers Vif is a balcony road in France

Gorges du Guiers Vif is a very picturesque canyon located on the boundary between the Isère and Savoie departments of France. It is one of the famous French balcony roads.

Sommet de Bellecote

Driving one of the highest roads of Europe to Sommet de Bellecote in the Graian Alp

Sommet de Bellecote is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.071m (10,075ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col de Salèse

The breathtaking road to Col de Salese in the Maritime Alps

Col de Salèse is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,036m (6,679ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Col des Aravis

A road with very nice scenery to Col des Aravis

Col des Aravis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,487m (4,879ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Haute-Savoie and the Savoie departments of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col de Cibières

A gravel road to Col de Cibieres in the Alps

Col de Cibières is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,525m (8,284ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col du Glandon

Col du Glandon is one of the toughest climbs in the French Alps

Col du Glandon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.930m (6,332ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the toughest climbs in the French Alps.

Gorges de la Blanche

Gorges de la Blanche is a balcony road in France

Gorges de la Blanche is an amazing canyon carved by the La Blanche river, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France. It’s one of the scenic French balcony roads.

 

Clue de la Roche Percée

Clue de la Roche Percee is a French balcony road

Clue de la Roche Percée is a narrow canyon located in Southeastern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road through the canyon, between walls of cliffs and gorges, is a delight.

Lac de Céma

How to drive the road to Lac de Cema?

Lac de Céma is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.745m (9,005ft) above sea level, located in the department of Savoie of France.

Col de l’Hysope

A fabulous narrow road to the top to Col de l’Hysope

Col de l’Hysope is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,236m (4,055ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France.

Gorges de Chouvigny

Driving the Scenic Balcony Road through Gorges de Chouvigny

Gorges de Chouvigny is a very scenic canyon straddling the Allier and Puy-de-Dôme departments of France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

Col de Puymorens

An iconic road to Col de Puymorens in the Pyrenees

Col de Puymorens is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,920 meters (6,299 feet) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in France.

Col du Grand Colombier

An iconic road to Col du Grand Colombier in the western Alps

Col du Grand Colombier is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.501m (4,925ft) above sea level, located in the department of Ain in France.

Les Détroits

How to drive the Les Détroits-D907BIS, a balcony road in Lozère

Located in the Lozère department of France, the road through Les Détroits offers a thrilling driving experience. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. 

Gorges du Bachelard

A French balcony road through Gorges du Bachelard

Gorges du Bachelard is a narrow, rocky canyon crammed with waterfalls, stone bridges, and soaring cliffs carved by the Bachelard River, located in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in France. It's one of the French balcony roads.

Gorges des Gats

Gorges des Gats: A Balcony Road in France

Gorges des Gats is a canyon carved by the Ruisseau des Gats river, located in the Drôme department of France. It’s one of the famous balcony roads in France.

D80

Driving the 38 Hairpin Turns of the Steep Road D80 in Savoie

Located in the Savoie department of France, the challenging D80 road might not be your best choice if you're prone to car sickness. It is one of the most hairpinned roads in the world.

Belvédère du Viso

An awe-inspiring drive to Belvedere du Viso in the Cottian Alps

Belvédère du Cirque du Mont-Viso is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2.147m (7,043ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col d’Olivier

Driving the scenic road to Col d’Olivier

Col d’Olivier is a mountain pass at an elevation of 711m (2,332ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France.

Pic de Château Renard

Road trip guide: Conquering Pic de Chateau Renard

Pic de Château Renard is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.936m (9,632ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Lac de Roterel

A bumpy scenic road to Lac de Roterel in the Alps

Lac de Roterel is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1,941m (6,368ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Col de Vé Gautier

Driving the narrow and steep D27 road to Col de Ve Gautier

Col de Ve Gautier is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,099 meters (3,605 ft) above sea level in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. Connecting the Estéron and Fleuve valleys via the D27 road, this pass—also known as Col de Vegautier—is a technical link in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Far from being a pleasant cruise, the drive is a high-focus exercise on a narrow paved balcony where the road surface often deteriorates into rocky passages and the vertical drops test the nerves of even experienced mountain drivers.

Col de l’Holme

A sensational paved road to Col de l’Holme

Col de l’Holme is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.207m (3,959ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France.

Pointe du Bouchet

A brutal climb to Pointe du Bouchet in Savoie

Pointe du Bouchet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.229m (10,593ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department, in France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Superbagnères

Superbagneres: the road continually snakes its way up ahead

Superbagnères is a ski station at an elevation of 1.804m (5,918ft) above sea level, located in the department of Haute-Garonne, in France.

Mont du Chat

Mont du Chat is one of the toughest paved climbs in France

Mont du Chat (Cat’s Mountain) is a brutal mountain pass at an elevation of 1,504 meters (4,934 feet) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s said to be one of the toughest paved climbs in France, with a 15% gradient in some sections.