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 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.

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 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 in Europe.

Route Departementale 220 (D220) is a short mountain road located in the Isère department of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.215m (7,267ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, in France.

Col d'Allos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,250m (7,382ft) above sea level, located in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France.

Gorges du Hourat is a very scenic canyon located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

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.

Col du Lautaret is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.060m (6,758ft) above sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Alpes, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. This pass is part of the iconic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Sommet Bûcher is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.215m (7,267ft) above sea level, located, in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col des Tentes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.208m (7,244ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées, in the region of Occitania, in France.

Col Agnel-Colle dell'Agnello is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.744m (9,003ft) above sea level located on the French-Italian border. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Pas de l'Agrée is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.192m (3,910ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Located in the Aude department of France, the Gorges de Saint-Georges is a stunning canyon carved out by the Aude River. It’s one of the French balcony roads. 

Gorges de l'Ardeche is a picturesque canyon situated in France’s Ardèche department, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It’s one of the famous balcony roads of the country.

Col de Moissière is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.575m (5,167ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Tête de la Grave is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.650m (5,413ft) above sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France. The climb can often be hard due to windy conditions and/or heat. You'll be very exposed to the elements at higher altitude on this mountain.

Gorges du Tarn is a canyon formed by the Tarn River, located on the boundary between Lozère and Aveyron departments of the Occitanie region, in France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col des Tempêtes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,829 meters (6,000 feet) above sea level, located in France. It is known for its windy conditions.

Col d'Andrion is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.667m (5,469ft) above sea level, located in the department of Alpes-Maritimes of France.

Col de la Lézette is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.786m (5,859ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Tucked away in the Haute-Corse department of Corsica, in France, Gorges de la Restonica is one of the island's most picturesque canyons.

Col de Buffère is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.431m (7,975ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department, in France.

Col d'Espréaux is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.160m (3,805ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col de la Paré is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.412m (7,913ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de Sencours is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.378m (7,801ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitan region of France.

Pont de Normandie is a very beautiful and modern cable-stayed road bridge located in northern France. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Col des Laquets is a high mountain pass situated at an elevation of 2,637m (8,651ft) above sea level. Located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France, it’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Col du Clapier-Colle Clapier is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.480m (8,170ft) above sea level, straddling the Italian-French border.

Col de la Légette is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.776m (5,826ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de Méhatché is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 716m (2,349ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Collado de Errozate-Col d'Errozate is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.076m (3,530ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Col des Lessières is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,936m (9,632ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col du Sabot is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.100m (6,889ft) above sea level, located in the Isère département in the Rhône-Alpes region of France.