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 des Ruillans is a high mountain peak with an elevation of 3,231m (10,600ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col du Joly is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,989m (6,525ft) above sea level, located in the Rhône-Alpes region of France.

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. 

Col des Saisies is a high mountain pass with an elevation of 1,657m (5,436ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Lac de Fabrèges is a mountain lake at an elevation of 1.241m (4,072ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of France.

Cirque de Navacelles is a deep, steep-sided canyon straddling the Hérault and Gard departments in France. It’s one of the most famous French balcony roads.

Col Saint Martin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,500 m (4,921 ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Station de Ski du Haut Asco is an abandoned ski resort at an elevation of 1,509m (4,950ft) above sea level, located in Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s one of the highest roads in Corsica.

Col de la Boaire-Colle della Boaria is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.102m (6,896ft) above sea level, located on the border of France and Italy.

Col de Viraysse is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,746m (9,009ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France. The road is extremely narrow, and the drop-offs can be quite intimidating. There’s only enough room for one car to go up, and there’s no option to turn around if you change your mind. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Perched high up on a rocky hill, Château de Quéribus is a castle located in the commune of Cucugnan in the Aude department of France.

Mont Malamot is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,885 m (9,465 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. The road to the summit is permanently closed to motorized vehicles. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col de Valberg is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,672m (5,475ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Col du Noyer is a high mountain pass with an elevation of 1,664m (5,459ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col de la Vallée Étroite is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,735 m (8,973 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col de Castillon is a mountain pass at an elevation of 707 m (2,319 ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Fort de la Marguerie is a high mountain fort at an elevation of 1,842 m (6,043 ft) above sea level, located in the Maritime Alps department of France.

Lac de Cap-de-Long is a high mountain lake located at an elevation of 2,161m (7,089ft) above sea level in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France. It’s one of the highest paved roads in the French Pyrenees, even higher than the famous Col du Tourmalet.

Col d'Arnostéguy is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1,240m (4,068ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.637m (5,370ft) above sea level, on the border of France and Spain.

Monte Saccarello-Mont Saccarel is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.178m (7,145ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border.

Cratère Commerson is a volcanic crater at an elevation of 2,328m (7,637ft) above sea level, located on the eastern side of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean.

Col d'Aspin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,489m (4,885ft) above sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées, in France.

Col de Joux Plane is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,697m (5,567ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. For cyclists, it’s renowned as one of the six major passes of the French massif, alongside the Galibier, Izoard, L’Alpe d’Huez, Mont Ventoux, and the Tourmalet.

Col du Solude is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,680m (5,511ft) above sea level, located in the Oisans region of France. It's one of the famous French balcony roads.

Val Thorens is a ski resort at an elevation of 2,300m (7,545ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col du Bouchet is a high mountain peak at 3,004 m (9,855 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col des Gets is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.170m (3,838ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col des Gondrans is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,347 m (7,700 ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Crête de la Pendine is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,705m (8,874ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Col des Ves is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.793m (9,163ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Pierre-sur-Haute is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,631m (5,351ft) above sea level, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Access to the summit is closed to private vehicles.

Coll d'Ares-Col d'Ares is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,513m (4,964ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrenees on the border between France and Spain.

Col de Lagues is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,408m (4,619ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Garonne department of France.

Pic de l’Herpie is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,067m (10,062ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col de la Faucille is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,323m (4,341ft) above sea level, located in the Ain department of France.

Col de Mallemort is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,543m (8,343ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France.

Col du Portillon-Coll de Portilló is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,293 m (4,242 ft) above sea level, located on the border of Spain and France.

Col du Petit Mont Cenis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,184m (7,166ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de l'Arpettaz is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,581 m (5,187 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

The picturesque D29 is a short mountain road located in the Aude department of France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.

Lac des Bouillouses is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,016m (6,614ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in France.

Route de l'Authion is a very scenic drive located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. Along the road, there are several forts and military ruins. The drive is highly rewarding for its scenery—provided you watch carefully where you place your wheels!

Col de Mantet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,760m (5,774ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in France. The road is incredibly narrow, with a steep, unprotected drop to one side throughout. It’s also regularly covered in snow, making it even more treacherous.

Col d’Artzatey is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 662m (2,171ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

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