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.

Clue de la Roche Percée is a narrow canyon located in Southeastern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road through the canyon, between walls of cliffs and gorges, is a delight.

Col de la Savolière is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.421m (4,662ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Located on the road to Col de la Cayolle, in the heart of Mercantour National Park, in the Maritime Alps, France, Gorges du Bachelard is a narrow, rocky canyon crammed with waterfalls, stone bridges, and soaring cliffs.

Orcières-Merlette is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.823m (5,980ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Col de Puymorens is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.920m (6,299ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in southern France close to the northern Spanish frontier and the Mediterranean Sea.

Colle del Lago dei Signori-Col de Seigneurs is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,130m (6,988ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and France. The road traversing the pass was originally built for military purposes and was used during World War II.

Clue de Riolan is one of France's most beautiful canyons. Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, the canyon is carved by the Le Riolan river. It’sone of the famous French balcony roads.

Port de Boucharo (Puerto de Bujaruelo) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.278m (7,473ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish-French border. The last part of road to the summit is blocked to vehicles with big rocks. The climb starts from Col des Tentes.

Col du Parquétout is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.448m (4,750ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.

Col des Champs is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.092m (6,863ft) above the sea level, located at the border between the departments of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes in southeastern France.

Col de l’Homme is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.657m (5,436ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.

D918 is an extreme high mountain road located in the Pyrenees, a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de la Boaire / Colle della Boaria is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.102m (6,896ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, between France and Italy, which links the Queyras valley (Hautes-Alpes) with Pontechianale in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont.

Pic de Château Renard is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.936m (9,632ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col du Joly is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.989m (6,525ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Haute-Savoie and Savoie departments in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France, the infamous D80 road isone of the most hairpinned roads in the world.

Gorges des Gats is an incredible canyon located in the Drôme department in southeastern France. The gorge is carved by the Ruisseau des Gats river. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

Col de Guery is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.268m (4,160ft) above the sea level, located in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in central France.

Cirque de Navacelles is a deep, steep-sided canyon located in the Occitanie region in southern France. The cirque was once created by the River La Vis. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

Gorges du Guiers Mort is a canyon formed by the Guiers Mort river in the Isère department in southeastern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col des Saisies is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.657m (5,436ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes. 

Station de Ski du Haut Asco is an abandoned ski resort at an elevation of 1.509m (4,950ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Corse department in the Corsica region, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.

Col de Viraysse is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.746m (9,009ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France. It’s terrible narrow and the drop offs are a bit intimidating. There’s only enough room for one car to go up. There is no turning around if you change you mind. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Mont Malamot is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.885m (9,465ft) above the sea level, located in the northern Cottian Alps, in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The road to the summit is permanently closed to motorized vehicles. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Aiguille de Péclet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.951m (9,681ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col des Ruillans is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.231m (10,600ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Lac de Fabrèges is a mountain lake at an elevation of 1.241m (4,072ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.

Col Saint Martin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.500m (4,921ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in Southeastern France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col de Valberg is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.672m (5,475ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.

Col du Noyer is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.664m (5,459ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France.

Lac de Cap-de-Long is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.161m (7,089ft) above the sea level, located in Hautes-Pyrénées, a department in southwestern France, part of the Midi-Pyrénées region.

Perched high up on a rocky hill, Château de Quéribus is a ruined castle in the commune of Cucugnan in the Aude département, in the Occitanie region of France.

Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.637m (5,370ft) above the sea level, on the border of France and Spain.

Fort de la Marguerie is a high mountain fort at an elevation of 1.842m (6,043ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps, close to the border between France and Italy.

Monte Saccarello-Mont Saccarel is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.178m (7,145ft) above the sea level, located on the French-Italian border.

Col d'Arnostéguy is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.240m (4,068ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.

Col du Solude is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.680m (5,511ft) above the sea level, located in the Oisans region of the French Alps.

Col de Castillon is a mountain pass at an elevation of 707m (2,319ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alpes, in France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col de Joux Plane is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.697m (5,567ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Haute-Savoie, France. For cyclists, it’s renowned as one of the six major passes of the French massif, along with the Galibier, Izoard, L’Alpe d’Huez, Mont Ventoux and the Tourmalet.

Ouvrage du Gondarn is a fort located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, at an elevation of 2.347m (7,700ft) above the sea level.

Col de la Vallée Étroite is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.735m (8,973ft) 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.

Val Thorens is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.300m (7,545ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Cratère Commerson is a volcanic crater at an elevation of 2.328m (7,637ft) above the sea level located on the eastern side of Réunion island in the Indian Ocean.

Col d'Aspin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.489m (4,885ft) above the sea level, located in the French Pyrenees in the department of the Hautes-Pyrénées.

Pierre-sur-Haute is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.631m (5,351ft) above the sea level, located in the Massif Central, in south-central France. It is in the Sauvain and Job communes, with the boundary between the Rhône-Alpes and Auvergne regions passing through the site. The access is closed to private vehicles.