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.
How to get by car to Lac de la Sassiere in the Tarentaise Valley?
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.
The breathtaking road to Col de Caron in the Massif de la Vanoise
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.
Travel guide to the top of Col des Glieres
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.
Gorges du Guiers Vif is a balcony road in 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.
Driving one of the highest roads of Europe to Sommet de Bellecote in the Graian Alp
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.
The breathtaking road to Col de Salese in the Maritime Alps
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.
A road with very nice scenery to Col des Aravis
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.
A gravel road to Col de Cibieres in the Alps
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.
Col du Glandon is one of the toughest climbs in the French Alps
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.
Gorges de la Blanche is a balcony road in France
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.
Clue de la Roche Percee is a French balcony road
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.
How to drive the road to Lac de Cema?
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.
A fabulous narrow road to the top to Col de l’Hysope
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.
Driving the Scenic Balcony Road through Gorges de Chouvigny
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.
An iconic road to Col de Puymorens in the Pyrenees
Col de Puymorens is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,920 meters (6,299 feet) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in France.
An iconic road to Col du Grand Colombier in the western Alps
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.
How to drive the Les Détroits-D907BIS, a balcony road in Lozère
Located in the Lozère department of France, the road through Les Détroits offers a thrilling driving experience. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.
A French balcony road through Gorges du Bachelard
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.
Gorges des Gats: A Balcony Road in France
Gorges des Gats is a canyon carved by the Ruisseau des Gats river, located in the Drôme department of France. It’s one of the famous balcony roads in France.
Driving the 38 Hairpin Turns of the Steep Road D80 in Savoie
Located in the Savoie department of France, the challenging D80 road might not be your best choice if you're prone to car sickness. It is one of the most hairpinned roads in the world.
An awe-inspiring drive to Belvedere du Viso in the Cottian Alps
Belvédère du Cirque du Mont-Viso is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2.147m (7,043ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.
Driving the scenic road to Col d’Olivier
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.
Road trip guide: Conquering Pic de Chateau Renard
Pic de Château Renard is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.936m (9,632ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
A bumpy scenic road to Lac de Roterel in the Alps
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.
Driving the narrow and steep D27 road to Col de Ve Gautier
Col de Ve Gautier is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,099 meters (3,605 ft) above sea level in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. Connecting the Estéron and Fleuve valleys via the D27 road, this pass—also known as Col de Vegautier—is a technical link in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Far from being a pleasant cruise, the drive is a high-focus exercise on a narrow paved balcony where the road surface often deteriorates into rocky passages and the vertical drops test the nerves of even experienced mountain drivers.
A sensational paved road to Col de l’Holme
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.
A brutal climb to Pointe du Bouchet in Savoie
Pointe du Bouchet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.229m (10,593ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department, in France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
Superbagneres: the road continually snakes its way up ahead
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.
Mont du Chat is one of the toughest paved climbs in France
Mont du Chat (Cat’s Mountain) is a brutal mountain pass at an elevation of 1,504 meters (4,934 feet) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s said to be one of the toughest paved climbs in France, with a 15% gradient in some sections.
An epic paved road to Col de Restefond in the Alps
Col de Restefond is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.680m (8,790ft) above sea level, in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in France. It's one of the highest roads in the country.
Clue du Riolan is a balcony road in France
Clue du Riolan is one of France's most beautiful canyons. Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France, it’s one of the French balcony roads.
Cirque de Troumouse: a road with 31 hairpin turns in the Pyrenees
Cirque de Troumouse is a high alpine cirque located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in France.
A wild paved road to the top of Col du Negron
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.
Aiguille de Peclet is one of the highest roads of Europe
Aiguille de Péclet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,951m (9,681ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
D108: Driving the steep ramps to Lac de Plan d’Aval in the Vanoise Massif
Lac de Plan d’Aval is a high-mountain reservoir situated at an elevation of 2,041m (6,696ft) above sea level in the Savoie department of France. Located within the breathtaking Vanoise National Park, the road to this alpine lake offers a short but intense driving experience with significant gradients and stunning mountain scenery.
An iconic road to Port de Boucharo in the Pyrenees
Port de Boucharo-Puerto de Bujaruelo is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,278 m (7,473 ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border. The last part of the road to the summit is blocked to vehicles by large rocks.
Driving the D76 road to Orcières Merlette in the French Alps
Orcières Merlette is a ski resort at an elevation of 1,823m (5,980ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.
A paved road to Chalet Hotel du Gioberney in the heart of the Ecrins Park
Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.649m (5,410ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France, within the Cirque du Vaccivier.
An epic paved road to Vallon du Melezet in the Alps
Vallon du Mélézet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.821m (5,974ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.
Driving the D520B balcony road through Gorges du Guiers Mort
Gorges du Guiers Mort is a deep, narrow canyon located in the Isère department of southeastern France. Traversed by the D520B road, also known as the Route du Désert, this route is one of the most technical balcony roads in France. Carved directly into the limestone cliffs of the Chartreuse Natural Regional Park, the road follows the violent path of the Guiers Mort river. It is a world of permanent shadow, dripping rock faces, and narrow tunnels where the physical limits of your vehicle are tested by a strict height clearance and the constant threat of rockfall.
A hairpinned paved road to the summit of Col de la Chaudiere
Col de la Chaudière is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.047m (3,435ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department, in France.
A curvy paved mountain road to Col de la Savoliere
Col de la Savolière is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.421m (4,662ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France.
An awe-inspiring road to Col du Cap Nestes in the Pyrenees
Col du Cap Nestès is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.683m (5,521ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.
An Explorer's Guide to Col de la Bailletta
Col de la Bailletta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.852m (9,356ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department in France.
Col de l’Echarasson is a classic road trip in southeastern France
Col de l’Echarasson is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.146m (3,759ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department in France.