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.
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.
You'll never forget 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.
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.
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.
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.
Les Détroits - D907BIS: A Balcony Road in France
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 high-altitude ski station reaching an elevation of 1,823m (5,980ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. Accessed via the D76 road, the climb is a technical Alpine transit that demands consistent gear management due to its sustained gradients and 8 sharp hairpins on the edge of the Ecrins National Park.
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 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.
Road Trip Guide: Conquering Col des Ruillans in the Hautes-Alpes
Col des Ruillans is a high mountain peak with an elevation of 3,231m (10,600ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.
A Fantastic Road to Col des Saisies, with Great Views of Mont Blanc
Col des Saisies is a high mountain pass with an elevation of 1,657m (5,436ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.
An Iconic Road to Col du Joly in the French Alps
Col du Joly is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,989m (6,525ft) above sea level, located in the Rhône-Alpes region of France.
Driving the Sensational Road to Col de Guery
Col de Guéry is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,268 m (4,160 ft) above sea level, located in the Puy-de-Dôme department of France.
A treacherous paved road to the summit of Col du Parquetout
Col du Parquétout is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,448 m (4,750 ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France.
Lac de Cap-de-Long: One of the Highest Paved Roads in the French Pyrenees
Lac de Cap-de-Long is a high mountain lake located at an elevation of 2,161m (7,089ft) above sea level in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France. It’s one of the highest paved roads in the French Pyrenees, even higher than the famous Col du Tourmalet.
D212C: Driving the Paved Ascent to Col de l’Homme in the French Alps
Reaching an elevation of 1,766m (5,793ft) above sea level, Col de l’Homme is a high mountain peak located in the Isère department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. The summit is accessible via a paved road that serves the Notre-Dame de la Salette sanctuary.