What are the most spectacular roads in 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.
How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Bocca à Canaghia
Bocca à Canaghia is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.848m (6,062ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.
Les Tourniquets d'Astoin
Les Tourniquets d'Astoin is the name of the sharply winding and precipitous ascent in a steep and narrow zig-zag road in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.
Collet des Michels
Collet des Michels is a mountain pass at an elevation of 920m (3,018ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Col de Lachau
Col de Lachau is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.332m (4,370ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.
Lac des Estaris
Lac des Estaris is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.578m (8,458ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Piau-Engaly
Piau-Engaly is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.870m (6,135ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in southwestern France.
Tête de la Sallaz
Tête de la Sallaz is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.992m (6,535ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The average gradient is 14.74% with some sections up to 20%.
Le Beoux Bridge
Le Beoux pont is located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Taking on the Twists and Turns of Gorges Du Val de Fier
Gorges Du Val de Fier is a very scenic canyon located on the boundary of the Haute-Savoie and the Savoie departments in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. It’s one of the scenic French balcony roads.
Station de Camurac
Station de Camurac is a ski station at an elevation of 1.630m (5,347ft) above the sea level, located in the Aude department of southern France.
Lac Long Supérieur
Lac Long Supérieur is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.126m (6,975ft) located in the Mercantour Massif, in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Gorges de la Ruda: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Gorges de la Ruda is a very scenic canyon located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
A wild unpaved road to Palet
Palet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.749m (9,019ft) 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.
Col de Caralps
Col de Caralps is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.501m (8,205ft) in the Pyrenees, on the French-Spanish border.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Bocca di Battaglia
Bocca di Battaglia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.104m (3,622ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica. The road to the summit is awesome, with sections up to 12%. Tight bends and faster sweepers.
Pic de Montferrat
Pic de Montferrat is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.497m (8,192ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in southwestern France.
Llac Amagat
Llac Amagat is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.303m (7,555ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France.
Col du Fouet
Col du Fouet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.435m (7,988ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Driving the M59, a French balcony road
M59 is the name of a very scenic yet challenging road located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. It's one of the famous French balcony roads.
Pas de Saint-Anne
Pas de Saint-Anne is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.301m (7,549ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps, on the French-Italian border.
Col de la Cucumelle
Col de la Cucumelle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.511m (8,238ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Col de Scaldasole is the highest road of Corsica
Col de Scaldasole is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.938m (6,358ft) above the 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.
Cheval Noir
Cheval Noir is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.166m (7,106ft) above the sea level, located in the Massif de la Vanoise range, in Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps.
Autostrada dei Fiori, a stunning coastal road from Genoa to Nice
Part of European route E80, Autostrada A10 is one of the most challenging yet scenic highways in northern Italy. You’ll feel constantly distracted by the beautiful views.
Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Refuge de Moëde Anterne
Refuge de Moëde Anterne is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.984m (6,509ft) above the sea level, located on the Fiz mountains, in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Col des Gourses
Col des Gourses is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.565m (8,415ft) above the sea level, located in Rhone-Alpes in the French Isère département.
The breathtaking road to Couillade de Llerbès
Couillade de Llerbès is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.299m (7,542ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in the Occitanie region of south-western France.
Road trip guide: Conquering Gorges de la Spelunca
Gorges de la Spelunca is a very scenic canyon located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica. If you don't like winding roads this may be a problem.
Boismint lift
Boismint lift is a high mountain lift at an elevation of 2.671m (8,763ft) 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 the country.
Route de Duranus is an absolute must for balcony road lovers
Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the region of Provence-Cote d'Azur of France, Route de Duranus is the name of a very scenic drive. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
A steep road to Crêt de l'Oeillon
Crêt de l'Oeillon is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.364m (4,475ft) above the sea level, located in the Loire department in central France.
Gorges du Terme Inférieur, a stunning balcony road
Gorges du Terme Inférieur is the name of a very challenging canyon located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of the region of Occitanie, in Southern France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.
Lac d'Allos
Lac d'Allos is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.248m (7,375ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France.
Driving the curvy roads of Corsica
I spent 3 weeks on Corsica and I can say that the title of "Island of the Beauty" is simple correct. There is only 1 highway existing south of Bastia with a length of about 15 km.
Col de Mea
Col de Mea is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.486m (8,156ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Pas de Colle Longue
Pas de Colle Longue is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.441m (8,008ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes, on the Italian-French border.
Col de Pradel
Col de Pradel is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.287m (4,222ft) above the sea level, located in the French Pyrenees.
Sommet de la Reynière
Sommet de la Reynière is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.717m (5,633ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.
Ouvrage La Déa
Ouvrage La Déa is a military fortress, part of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, at an elevation of 1.753m (5,751ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Col d’Anglas
Col d’Anglas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.453m (8,047ft) above the sea level, located in the département of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in south-western France.
Driving the wild road to Col de Balme
Col de Balme is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.209m (7,247ft) above the sea level, located on the frontier between France and Switzerland.
Tête du Pré des Saix
Tête du Pré des Saix is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.107m (6,912ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Route de Thiéry is a balcony road to Col de la Madone
Col de la Madone is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.165m (3,822ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
Adventure along Breche du Grand Creux
Breche du Grand Creux is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.830m (9,284ft) above the sea level, located in Rhone-Alpes in the Isère département, France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Mont Mirantin
Mont Mirantin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.058m (6,751ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.