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.

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 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.

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.

Col de Vars is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.108m (6,916ft) above sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col de la Couillole is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.678m (5,495ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. The road through the summit is part of the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Alpe d’Huez is a cycling legend. It’s the most famous mountain climb in the Tour de France. Located in the Isère département of the Rhône-Alpes region in France, the ski resort is at an elevation of 1.860m (6,100ft) above sea level.

Perched high above the coastline of the Côte d'Azur in France, the D22 road is the name of a sharply winding and precipitous ascent in a steep and narrow zig-zag road, on the French Riviera. It is one of the most famous balcony roads in the country.

Col du Pourtalet is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.798m (5,898ft) above sea level, located on the border of Spain and France. The pass offers the most beautiful views of Ossau Valley.

Located in the Lot department of France, driving on the D43 road is a thrilling experience. It's one of the famous balcony roads of France.

Lac de la Sassière is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.462m (8,077ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in 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 des Glières is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,440m (4,724ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. There is a 2 km gravel stretch.

Pré de Madame Carle is a natural site at an elevation of 1,879m (6,164ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Col de Salèse is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,036m (6,679ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Col de Caron is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.996m (9,829ft) above sea level, located in Orelle, a commune in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col de la Madeleine is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,998m (6,555ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the most emblematic French Alps mountain passes.

Pas de Peyrol is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,589m (5,213ft) above sea level, located in the Cantal department of France.

Cormet de Roselend is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,991m (6,532ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Gorges de la Méouge is an incredible canyon located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. The gorge is 7-kilometre (4.3 mi) long, carved by the Méouge which has its source in the Drôme. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. 

Col de Cibières is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,525m (8,284ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Gorges du Guiers Vif is a very picturesque canyon located on the boundary between the Isère and Savoie departments of France. It is one of the famous French balcony roads.

Col de l’Hysope is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,236m (4,055ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France.

Sommet de Bellecote is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.071m (10,075ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Gorges de la Blanche is an amazing canyon carved by the La Blanche river, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France. It’s one of the scenic French balcony roads.

 

Lac de Céma is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.745m (9,005ft) above sea level, located in the department of Savoie of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Col du Glandon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.930m (6,332ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the toughest climbs in the French Alps.

Col des Aravis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,487m (4,879ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Haute-Savoie and the Savoie departments of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col de Bavella is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.226m (4,022ft) above 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.

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.

Gorges de Chouvigny is a very scenic canyon straddling the Allier and Puy-de-Dôme departments of France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

Lac de Roterel is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1,941m (6,368ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Col d’Olivier is a mountain pass at an elevation of 711m (2,332ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France.

Col de l’Holme is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.207m (3,959ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France.

Col du Grand Colombier is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.501m (4,925ft) above sea level, located in the department of Ain in France.

Col du Négron is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,242m (4,074ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department of France.

Superbagnères is a ski station at an elevation of 1.804m (5,918ft) above sea level, located in the department of Haute-Garonne, in France.

Col de Vé Gautier is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.099m (3,605ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Located in the Ariège department in southwestern France, the Grotte du Mas d'Azil is a 500-meter long tunnel dug by the Arize River in the Ariège Pyrenees. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.

Gorges du Bachelard is a narrow, rocky canyon crammed with waterfalls, stone bridges, and soaring cliffs carved by the Bachelard River, located in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in France. It's one of the French balcony roads.