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.
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.
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.
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.
You'll never forget 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. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A wild paved road to the top of Col du Negron
Col du Négron is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,242m (4,074ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department of France.
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.
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.
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.
Col de Ve Gautier: good road quality and pleasant grading
Col de Vé Gautier is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.099m (3,605ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.
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.
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.
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.
A hairpinned paved road to the summit of Col de la Chaudiere
Col de la Chaudière is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.047m (3,435ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department, in France.
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.
An awe-inspiring road to Col du Cap Nestes in the Pyrenees
Col du Cap Nestès is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.683m (5,521ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.
A paved road to Chalet Hotel du Gioberney in the heart of the Ecrins Park
Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.649m (5,410ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France, within the Cirque du Vaccivier.
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.
An epic paved road to Vallon du Melezet in the Alps
Vallon du Mélézet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.821m (5,974ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.
A steep paved road (8.20%) to Lac de Plan d’Aval
Lac de Plan d’Aval is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.041m (6,696ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.
A curvy paved mountain road to Col de la Savoliere
Col de la Savolière is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.421m (4,662ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France.
Cirque de Troumouse: a road with 31 hairpin turns in the Pyrenees
Cirque de Troumouse is a high alpine cirque located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in France.
Col de l’Echarasson is a classic road trip in southeastern France
Col de l’Echarasson is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.146m (3,759ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department in France.
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.
Clue du Riolan is a balcony road in France
Clue du Riolan is one of France's most beautiful canyons. Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France, it’s one of the French balcony roads.
An epic paved road to Col de Restefond in the Alps
Col de Restefond is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.680m (8,790ft) above sea level, in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France. It's one of the highest roads in the country.
An Explorer's Guide to Col de la Bailletta
Col de la Bailletta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.852m (9,356ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department in France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.
Orcieres Merlette is an iconic Tour de France climb
Station de Orcières Merlette is a ski resort at an elevation of 1,823 meters (5,980 feet) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An iconic road to Port de Boucharo in the Pyrenees
Port de Boucharo-Puerto de Bujaruelo is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,278 m (7,473 ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border. The last part of the road to the summit is blocked to vehicles by large rocks.
A treacherous paved road to the summit of Col du Parquetout
Col du Parquétout is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,448 m (4,750 ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France.
A classic road trip to Col de l’Homme and Notre-Dame de la Salette
Col de l’Homme is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,766m (5,793ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France.
Driving a Balcony Road through Gorges du Guiers Mort
Gorges du Guiers Mort is a very scenic canyon located in the Isère department of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
Driving the Sensational Road to Col de Guery
Col de Guéry is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,268 m (4,160 ft) above sea level, located in the Puy-de-Dôme department of France.
Aiguille de Peclet is one of the highest roads of Europe
Aiguille de Péclet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,951m (9,681ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
Driving an Iconic Alpine Road with Hundreds of Turns to Col des Champs
Col des Champs is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,092m (6,863ft) above sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.
A military road to Col de Seigneurs
Colle del Lago dei Signori-Col de Seigneurs is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,130m (6,988ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.