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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Col de la Crouzette is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.219m (3,999ft) above the sea level, located in the French Pyrenees.

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.

Pas de l'Escalier is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.907m (6,256ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in the Occitanie region of south-western France.

The D76 road is a very exciting journey in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. Located at the gateway to the National Mercantour Park, the road is asphalted but very narrow.

Les Cretes is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.655m (8,710ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Pêne Det Pouri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.030m (6,660ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées in France.

Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France, the Clue de Rouaine is a very picturesque drive on an unrivalled location in the midst of grandiose scenery.

Col de Chanrossa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.545m (8,349ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

La Norma is a ski resort, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. A chairlift access gravel trail climbs up to 2.584m (8,477ft) above the sea level.

Col de Frejus is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.474m (8,116ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Moucherotte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.863m (6,112ft) above the sea level, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France.

Col Sud des Lacs is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.484m (8,149ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Fort Tabourde (Forte Taburda) is a military fortress at an elevation of 1.987m (6,519ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, near the Italian border.

Lac d'Aubert is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.163m (7,096ft) above the sea level, located in Hautes-Pyrénées, a department in southwestern France. It is part of the Midi-Pyrénées region.

Pic du Néoulous is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.251m (4,104ft) above the sea level, located between France and Spain. The average gradient is 10.55%.

Tossa del Pas dels Lladres is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.621m (8,599ft) in the Pyrenees, on the French-Spanish border. 

Col du Fornet is an international high mountain pass on the French-Swiss border atop the ski slopes above Avoriaz at an elevation of 2.245m (7,365ft) above the sea level.

Refuge du Grand Plan is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.310m (7,578ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

Balcon du Bozelet is a high mountain restaurant at an elevation of 2.411m (7,910ft) above the sea level, located in the Graian Alps, in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Located on the French-Italian border, in the Alps mountain range, the Mont Blanc Vehicular Tunnel is one of the biggest construction works of the 20th century.

Les Mandettes is a high mountain road located in in the department of Hautes-Alpes, in the Dauphiné Alps, a mountain range in southeastern France. The average gradient is 11.06%.

Col de Riondet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.409m (7,903ft) 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.

Lac de la Blanche is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.501m (8,205ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, M6202 is the name of a very scenic road. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Collade de la Roquette is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.076m (6,811ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France, near the border with Spain and the Autonomous Community of Catalonia.

Blayeul is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.172m (7,125ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. The average gradient is 10.03%, with some sections up to 20%.

Bocca di Chiralba is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.749m (5,738ft) 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.

Col des Saulces is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.456m (8,057ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

Fort Pepin is a military fortress at an elevation of 2.278m (7,473ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, near the Italian border.

Col Pelouse is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.261m (7,417ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

Bellecombe is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.602m (8,536ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps on the French-Italian border.

Défilé de Ruoms is the name of a very scenic defile located in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It’s one of the most scenic balcony roads of the country.

Col de Terre Nère is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.270m (7,447ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain.

Col de Vizzavona is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.168m (3,832ft) located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica.

Col de Vernant is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.967m (6,453ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col de Barteaux is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.384m (7,821ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Refuge du Saut is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.137m (7,011ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps.