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.
Place Charles de Gaulle is a stressful drive in Paris
Place Charles de Gaulle is a roundabout located in Paris, the capital of France. It’s famous for the 12 avenues radiating from the place, and thus indirectly for the giant traffic jams they tend to create. It's one of the world's 10 best roundabouts.
Gorges de la Bourne is a balcony road in France
Gorges de la Bourne is a very scenic canyon located on the boundary between the Isère and Drôme departments, in France. It's one of the French balcony roads.
Col de la Moutiere is a road with intimidating drop offs
Col de la Moutière is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,450m (8,038ft) above sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The road is extremely narrow, and the drop-offs are a bit intimidating. There’s only enough room for one car to go up, and there is no turning around if you change your mind.
Pave de la Croix Blanche is a wild cobbled road
Pavé de la Croix Blanche is an iconic cobbled section located in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region, in France.
Driving the road to Col de Rosael is not a piece of cake
Col de Rosael is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.993m (9,819ft) above sea level, located in Orelle, a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Driving the challenging D211A through Combe de la Fayolle
Combe de la Fayolle is a very daunting ravine located in the Isère department of France. Avoid the drive if you don’t like heights. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
Gorges du Loup is a balcony road in France
Gorges du Loup (Wolf Gorge) is a stunning river canyon located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.
The legendary Col d'Aubisque is an iconic Tour de France climb
Col d'Aubisque is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.713m (5,620ft) above sea level, located in the Aquitaine region of France. It’s one of the most iconic climbs in the country.
The legendary Col du Tourmalet is one of the world's top roads
Col du Tourmalet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,115m (6,939ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in France. It is one of the most famous climbs on the Tour de France race.
Gorges de Daluis is a balcony road in France
Gorges de Daluis is a deep, narrow canyon on the upper Var River located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
Col de Meraillet is a chillout in the French Alps
Col de Méraillet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.612m (5,288ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.
The narrow, bad and old road to the top of Col de Sarenne
Col de Sarenne is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.004m (6,574ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France. It’s one of the most demanding roads in the country.
The Three Corniches are 3 roads with dramatic coastal views in Cote d'Azur
From Nice eastward toward Menton, in the south of France, in the beautiful Côte d'Azur, three roads known as Les Trois Corniches are carved into the mountainside, running between the sea and mountains and offering dramatic coastal views. They are some of the world’s great drives.
Col de la Colombiere: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Col de la Colombière is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,613m (5,292ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.
Gorges du Guil is a scenic balcony road in France
Gorges du Guil is a very scenic canyon located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. It’s one of the defiant French balcony roads.
Col de Vergio is Corsica's highest paved pass
Col de Vergio is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.478m (4,849ft) above sea level, located on the island of Corsica. It’s said to be Corsica's highest road pass. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.
A curvy road with 75 hairpin turns to Col de la Lombarde
Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.354m (7,723ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.
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.
Little Saint-Bernard Pass is an absolute must for road lovers
Little St Bernard Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.188m (7,178ft) above sea level, located at the Italian-French border. Keep reading to find out more about when and how you can take the drive, as well as some of the notable sights you’ll see.
Cime de la Bonette is the highest paved road of the Alps
Cime de la Bonette is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.806m (9,206ft) above sea level, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Driving Route des Cretes along the Mediterranean Sea in Provence
Located in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône in France, Route des Crêtes is a very scenic drive and one of the steepest roads of the country, with parts up to 23%. The road is closed if there's too much wind - people could be blown off the 300 meter high cliffs.
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.
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 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 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 of Europe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.