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.

D13 Road

D13 is a challenging balcony road in France

D13 is a very challenging road located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Tunnel du Mortier

The abandoned Tunnel du Mortier in France

Located in the Isère department in France, Tunnel du Mortier is an abandoned high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 1.370m (4,494ft) above sea level.

Col de Larche

Larche Pass is an awe-inspiring drive in the Alps with 16 hairpin turns

Col de Larche-Colle della Maddalena is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.005m (6,578ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.

Col de l'Échelle

Col de l'Echelle is the lowest mountain pass between France and Italy

Col de l'Échelle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.762m (5,781ft) above sea level located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col du Granon

The wild road to Col du Granon in the French Alps

Col du Granon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.413m (7,916ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Col de Pailhères

A paved road to Port de Pailheres heading deep into the Pyrenees

Port de Pailhères is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.001m (6,565ft) above sea level, located in the Ariège department, in France.

Port d’Aula

Port d’Aula is one of the most beautiful roads of the Pyrenees

Port d’Aulà is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.265m (7,431ft) above sea level, located on the border of France and Spain.

D220-Les Travers

Driving the infamous D220-Les Travers, a French balcony road

Route Departementale 220 (D220) is a short mountain road located in the Isère department of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Port de Balès

An epic road to Port de Bales in the French Pyrenees

Port de Balès is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.760m (5,774ft) above sea level, located in the Occitanie region of France.

Col du Pré

Col du Pre is a narrow quiet road with lots of hairpins

Col du Pré is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,703m (5,587ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de la Montee du Fond

Col de la Montee du Fond is a brutally tough road in France

Col de la Montée du Fond is a high mountain pass at 3.007m (9,865ft) above sea level, located in Orelle, a commune in the Savoie department, in France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col d'Èze

The iconic Col d'Eze between Nice and Monaco

Col d'Èze is a mountain pass at an elevation of 532m (1,745ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Pic Maïdo

Guide to the top of Pic Maido in Réunion

Pic Maïdo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.189m (7,181ft) above sea level, located in Réunion, an overseas department of France in the Indian Ocean, to the east of Madagascar.

Col du Fréjus

Driving the military road to Frejus Pass in the Cottian Alps

Col du Fréjus is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.546m (8,353ft) above sea level, located on the Franco-Italian border.

Col de la Charmette

Take the Scenic Route and Discover Col de la Charmette

Col de la Charmette is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.284m (4,212ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Cime de Caron

How To Travel The Memorable Road to Cime de Caron

Cime de Caron is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.182m (10,439ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department in France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

D84

Driving the scenic D84 Road on the island of Corsica

D84 Road is a very scenic drive running through the island of Corsica, in France. The road provides stunning views and climbs up to Col de Vergio, the island's highest road pass.

Col de la Pierre Carrée

Col de la Pierre Carree is the highest pass in the north French Alps open all year

Col de la Pierre Carrée is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.849m (6,066ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. It’s the highest pass in the north French Alps that is open all year round.

Col de Portet

Col de Portet: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide

Col de Portet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.215m (7,267ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, in France.

Col de la Croix de Fer

Driving the scenic road to Col de la Croix de Fer in the Alps

Col de la Croix de Fer is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.071m (6,794ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Gorges du Hourat

Gorges du Hourat is a scenic balcony road through the Pyrenees-Atlantiques

Gorges du Hourat is a very scenic canyon located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de la Platrière

A paved road to Col de la Platriere in the French Alps

Col de la Platrière is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.220m (7,283ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Val Thorens-Orelle Road

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Wild Road from Val Thorens to Orelle

Located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, the high mountain road from Val Thorens to Orelle is one of the highest roads of Europe, topping out at 3.007m (9,865ft) above sea level.

Col d'Allos

A paved road among the clouds to Col d'Allos in the Provence

Col d'Allos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,250m (7,382ft) above sea level, located in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France.

Col du Lautaret

An Epic Drive to Col du Lautaret in France's Dauphiné Alps

Col du Lautaret is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.060m (6,758ft) above sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Alpes, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. This pass is part of the iconic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col de l’Espaul

A narrow road to Col de l’Espaul in the Mercantour

Col de l’Espaul is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.752m (5,748ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Gorges de l'Ardeche

Driving the scenic D290 road through Gorges de l'Ardeche

Gorges de l'Ardeche is a picturesque canyon situated in France’s Ardèche department, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It’s one of the famous balcony roads of the country.

Gorges du Tarn

How to get to Gorges du Tarn through a scenic balcony road?

Gorges du Tarn is a canyon formed by the Tarn River, located on the boundary between Lozère and Aveyron departments of the Occitanie region, in France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Étang de Soulcem

Take An Unforgettable Drive to Etang de Soulcem in the Pyrenees

Étang de Soulcem is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.649m (5,410ft) above sea level, located in the Ariège department of France, near the Andorran-Spanish borders.

Gorges de Saint-Georges

A picturesque balcony road through Gorges de Saint-Georges in Occitanie

Located in the Aude department of France, the Gorges de Saint-Georges is a stunning canyon carved out by the Aude River. It’s one of the French balcony roads. 

Col des Tentes

How to reach Col des Tentes in the Pyrenees: road conditions and tips

Col des Tentes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.208m (7,244ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées, in the region of Occitania, in France.

Grotte du Mas d'Azil

Driving Inside the Earth: Grotte du Mas d'Azil Is the Only Road Through a Cave in France

Located in the Ariège department in southwestern France, the Grotte du Mas d'Azil is a 500-meter long tunnel dug by the Arize River in the Ariège Pyrenees. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.

Pont de Normandie

Crossing the beautiful Pont de Normandie

Pont de Normandie is a very beautiful and modern cable-stayed road bridge located in northern France. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Sommet Bûcher

Conquering the Road to Sommet Bucher in the French Alps

Sommet Bûcher is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.215m (7,267ft) above sea level, located, in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Gorges de la Restonica

The ultimate guide to exploring Gorges de la Restonica in Corsica by car

Tucked away in the Haute-Corse department of Corsica, in France, Gorges de la Restonica is one of the island's most picturesque canyons.

Pas de l'Agrée

A Guide to Pas de l'Agree in the Heart of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Pas de l'Agrée is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.192m (3,910ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Col des Tempêtes

The road to Col des Tempetes, the windy ascent of Provence

Col des Tempêtes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,829 meters (6,000 feet) above sea level, located in France. It is known for its windy conditions.

Road D918

D918 is a challenging balcony road in France

D918 is an extreme high mountain road located in the Pyrenees, a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de Moissière

Driving the paved road to Col de Moissiere in the Hautes-Alpes

Col de Moissière is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.575m (5,167ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col des Laquets

A gravel road to Col des Laquets in the French Pyrenees

Col des Laquets is a high mountain pass situated at an elevation of 2,637m (8,651ft) above sea level. Located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France, it’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez is a mythical climb with 21 hairpin turns

Alpe d’Huez is a cycling legend. It’s the most famous mountain climb in the Tour de France. Located in the Isère département of the Rhône-Alpes region in France, the ski resort is at an elevation of 1.860m (6,100ft) above sea level.

D22 Road

Driving the D22, a balcony road in France

Perched high above the coastline of the Côte d'Azur in France, the D22 road is the name of a sharply winding and precipitous ascent in a steep and narrow zig-zag road, on the French Riviera. It is one of the most famous balcony roads in the country.

Tête de la Grave

Driving to Tete de la Grave in the Heart of Provence

Tête de la Grave is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.650m (5,413ft) above sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France. The climb can often be hard due to windy conditions and/or heat. You'll be very exposed to the elements at higher altitude on this mountain.

Col de Sencours

Discovering the unpaved road up to Col de Sencours in the Pyrenees

Col de Sencours is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.378m (7,801ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitan region of France.

Col du Clapier

Col du Clapier is where Hannibal crossed the Alps

Col du Clapier-Colle Clapier is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.480m (8,170ft) above sea level, straddling the Italian-French border.