Roads of France
Set against the backdrop of Western Europe, France boasts an intricate tapestry of roads that offer some of the most breathtaking drives globally.
Enthusiasts can traverse the famed balcony roads, which cling perilously to cliff faces, ascend the serpentine bends of Col du Chaussy, navigate through the historical Tunnel de Parpaillon, or challenge themselves on the towering peaks of Col de l'Iseran, Col du Jandri, and Col du Télégraphe. From the undulating vineyards and sunlit fields to majestic mountains and turquoise coastlines, France's diverse topography is a treasure trove for those keen on picturesque journeys. The iconic Route Napoleon meanders through the heart of the country, while the shimmering Corniche d'Or offers unparalleled views of the Mediterranean's azure embrace.
But France's roads are more than just pathways carved into its stunning landscapes. They are gateways to its rich tapestry of history, culture, and traditions, from medieval towns and alpine villages to sun-soaked Mediterranean beaches. So, the next time wanderlust calls you to the charm of France, rev up your engine and set forth on an adventure across its most captivating routes.
A steep paved road to Madone de Fenestre
Madone de Fenestre is a high mountain sanctuary at an elevation of 1.904m (6,246ft) above the sea level, located in the Mercantour National Park, in the Alpes-Maritimes, a department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in the extreme southeast corner of France.
Clue de Carajuan, a balcony road in France
Clue de Carajuan is a very scenic drive located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road between walls of cliffs and gorges is a delight.
Road trip guide: Conquering Punta Bagna
Punta Bagna is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.730m (8,956ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
A memorable road trip to Col des Voltes
Col des Voltes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.823m (5,980ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France.
A brutal road to Col de Lauzun in the French Alps
Col de Lauzun is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.809m (9,215ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
The paved D89, a road to Puigmal
D89 is a very scenic paved mountain road located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France, near the Spanish border, on the way to Puigmal (also called Puigmal d'Err).
Col de la Llose, a sensational drive in the French Pyrenees
Col de la Llose is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.866m (6,122ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in the Occitanie region of Southern France.
Col de Pierre Plate: The Road That Has it All!
Col de Pierre Plate is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.027m (3,369ft) above the sea level, located in the Lozère department in southern France.
Passage de la Petite Clue, a balcony road in France
Passage de la Petite Clue is a short balcony road located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. It was bypassed by a tunnel and totally closed to motor vehicles.
The old military road to Col de l’Infernet
Col de l’Infernet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.355m (7,726ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
The road to Lac de la Girotte is not for the sissies
Barrage de la Girotte is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.753m (5,751ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Road trip guide: Conquering Mur de Péguère
Mur de Péguère, also known as Col de Péguère, is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.375m (4,511ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Ariège, in the Occitanie region of southwestern France. It’s a killer climb: on paper it only averages 7.9 per cent, but that’s thanks to some relatively gently lower slopes.
Dare to drive the dangerous Monte Chaberton
Strada militare dello Chaberton is an extreme high mountain track climbing up to the fort on top of French Mont Chaberton at an elevation of 3.131m (10,272ft) above the sea level, in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Col du Mollard: an iconic road in the French Alps
Col du Mollard is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.638m (5,374ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Clue de la Maglia, a balcony road in France
Clue de la Maglia is a very scenic drive located on the isolated valley of Maglia River near the village of Breil-sur-Roya in Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road between walls of cliffs and gorges is a delight.
Col des Montets
Col des Montets is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.461m (4,793ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France.
The unpaved road to Col de la Bâthie
Col de la Bâthie is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.884m (6,181ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
The road to La Tovière isn't for the sissies
La Tovière is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.682m (8,799ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It’sone of the highest roads of the country.
Altiport de Courchevel
Located in the heart of the French Alps, Courchevel Airport is an altiport at an elevation of 2.014m (6,607ft) above the sea level. It’s ranked as the seventh most dangerous airport in the world.
The road to Cim de Coma Morera: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
Cim de Coma Morera is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.205m (7,234ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.
Water, snow and fog at the top of Mont-Aigoual
Mont-Aigoual is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.567m (5,141ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the Lozère and Gard departments in southern France. At the peak you have unlimited views and the highest manned weather station in France.
A classic road trip to Col de Soudet
Col de Soudet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.540m (5,052ft) located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.
Glacier du Varet
Glacier du Varet is a high mountain glacier at an elevation of 2.883m (9,458ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Adventure along Pas de Colle Ardente
Passo di Collardente-Pas de Colle Ardente, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.617m (5,305 ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps on the border between Italy and France. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Via del Sale.
Travel guide to the top of Col des Annes
Col des Annes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.721m (5,646ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Le Mauvais Pass, a narrow road to the summit
Le Mauvais Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.779m (5,836ft) above the sea level located in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France, close to the Italian border.
Défilé de Joucou, a treacherous balcony road in France
Défilé de Joucou is a very narrow canyon located in the department of Aude, region Languedoc-Roussillon, in southern France where even the road barely fits. Pictures don’t do it justice.
The military road to Fort de la Redoute
Fort de la Redoute is a high mountain fort at an elevation of 2.346m (7,696ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France, near the Italian border.
A hairpinned steep road to Parking des Millefonts
Parking des Millefonts is a high mountain parking at an elevation of 2.040m (6,692ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.
An awe-inspiring drive to Col d'Ornon
Col d'Ornon is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.360m (4,462ft) above the sea level, located in the Dauphiné Alps, in the department of Isère in France.
A memorable road trip to Col de Riou in the Pyrenees
Col de Riou is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.949m (6,394ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitan region of south-western France.
A curvy paved road to Col de Perty
Col de Perty is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.302m (4,271ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.
The narrow paved road to the international Col des Veaux
Col des Veaux is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 540m (1,771ft) above the sea level, located on the French-Spanish border.
Gorges de l’Asco, a balcony road in France
Gorges de l’Asco is an incredible defile located in the Haute-Corse department in the Corsica region, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.
Col d’Eylac
Col d’Eylac is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.442m (4,730ft) above the sea level, located in Auvergne, in south-central France.
The military road to Colle delle Chaberton
Colle delle Chaberton is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.674m (8,772ft) above the sea level, located in the French Alps, in the département of Hautes-Alpes.
A memorable road trip to Collet du Plan Nicolas
Collet du Plan Nicolas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.406m (7,893ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
A brutally steep classic climb to Planche des Belles Filles
Planche des Belles Filles is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.148m (3,766ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Saône department of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, in France.
The iconic climb to Luz Ardiden
Luz Ardiden is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.720m (5,643ft) located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitan region of south-western France. It has featured several times as a summit finish in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España races.
The road to Mont Vial is said to be the scary of scaries
Mont Vial is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.527m (5,009ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the few peaks of the backcountry behind Nice that is recognisable from the sea.
An epic road to Selle Vecchie Pass in the Alps
Col de la Celle Vieille is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.099m (6,886ft) above the sea level, located in the Mercantour National Park, on the French-Italian border.
Mont de la Chambre
Mont de la Chambre is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.844m (9,330ft) above the sea level located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Prat d'Albis is a drive worth taking
Prat d'Albis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.201m (3,940ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in southwestern France in the Occitanie region.
The road to Lac du Barrage d'Ossoue isn't an easy one
Lac du Barrage d'Ossoue is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.842m (6,043ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées, a department in southwestern France.
Col des Posettes: a wild unpaved road to the summit
Col des Posettes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.997m (6,551ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.