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 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.

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.

Cirque de Navacelles is a deep, steep-sided canyon straddling the Hérault and Gard departments in France. It’s one of the most famous French balcony roads.

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.

Col Saint Martin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,500 m (4,921 ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col des Champs is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,092m (6,863ft) above sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Perched high up on a rocky hill, Château de Quéribus is a castle located in the commune of Cucugnan in the Aude department of France.

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

Station de Ski du Haut Asco is an abandoned ski resort at an elevation of 1,509m (4,950ft) above sea level, located in Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s one of the highest roads in Corsica.

Mont Malamot is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,885 m (9,465 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. The road to the summit is permanently closed to motorized vehicles. 

Col de Valberg is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,672m (5,475ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Col de Viraysse is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,746m (9,009ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France. The road is extremely narrow, and the drop-offs can be quite intimidating. There’s only enough room for one car to go up, and there’s no option to turn around if you change your mind.

Coll d'Ares-Col d'Ares is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,513m (4,964ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrenees on the border between France and Spain.

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

Col d'Aspin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,489m (4,885ft) above sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées, in France.

Col du Noyer is a high mountain pass with an elevation of 1,664m (5,459ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col de la Vallée Étroite is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,735 m (8,973 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de Joux Plane is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,697m (5,567ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. For cyclists, it’s renowned as one of the six major passes of the French massif, alongside the Galibier, Izoard, L’Alpe d’Huez, Mont Ventoux, and the Tourmalet.

Fort de la Marguerie is a high mountain fort at an elevation of 1,842 m (6,043 ft) above sea level, located in the Maritime Alps department of France.

Val Thorens is a ski resort at an elevation of 2,300m (7,545ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

The picturesque D29 is a short mountain road located in the Aude department of France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.

Col du Bouchet is a high mountain peak at 3,004 m (9,855 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Tunnel du Galibier is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 2,576m (8,451ft) above sea level, located in France. Before 1976, the tunnel was the only passage point at the summit. It was closed for restoration until 2002, after which a new road was constructed over the summit.

Col des Gets is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.170m (3,838ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Pic de l’Herpie is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,067m (10,062ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Cratère Commerson is a volcanic crater at an elevation of 2,328m (7,637ft) above sea level, located on the eastern side of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean.

Col des Ves is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.793m (9,163ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

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

Col de la Faucille is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,323m (4,341ft) above sea level, located in the Ain department of France.

Col du Portillon-Coll de Portilló is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,293 m (4,242 ft) above sea level, located on the border of Spain and France.

Lac des Bouillouses is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,016m (6,614ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in France.

Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin (Piedra de San Martín) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,760 m (5,774 ft) above sea level, located on the French-Spanish border.

Crête de la Pendine is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,705m (8,874ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Col du Solude is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,680m (5,511ft) above sea level, located in the Oisans region of France. It's one of the famous French balcony roads.

Col des Gondrans is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,347 m (7,700 ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col du Petit Mont Cenis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,184m (7,166ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de Lagues is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,408m (4,619ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Garonne department of France.

Gorges de la Vésubie is a breathtaking canyon located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.

Gorges de Rebenty is a very scenic canyon located in the department of Aude, France. The drive is breathtaking but can also be challenging, especially if you are the one behind the wheel. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

Cirque de Gavarnie is a large rock amphitheater at an elevation of 1,690m (5,544ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.

Route de l'Authion is a very scenic drive located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. Along the road, there are several forts and military ruins. The drive is highly rewarding for its scenery—provided you watch carefully where you place your wheels!

Col de la Met is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.750m (9,022ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de Mallemort is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,543m (8,343ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France.

Col des Montets is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,461m (4,793ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France.

At 1,631m (5,351ft) above sea level, the summit of Pierre-sur-Haute is the highest point of the Monts du Forez in the Massif Central. Located on the boundary between the Loire and Puy-de-Dôme departments in France, the peak is occupied by a military radio station and a civilian relay tower. The road leading up is not a standard public highway: it is a strategic access closed to private vehicles.

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