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.

Cirque de Navacelles

Driving a Balcony Road Through Cirque de Navacelles in France

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.

Col des Champs

Driving an Iconic Alpine Road with Hundreds of Turns to Col des Champs

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.

Château de Quéribus

How to get by car to Chateau de Queribus in Occitanie?

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.

Col Saint Martin

An iconic road to Col Saint Martin in the Alpes-Maritimes

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.

Lac de Fabrèges

A sensational road to Lac de Fabreges in the Pyrenees

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

How to Get by Car to the Abandoned Haut Asco Ski Resort in Corsica

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.

Col d'Ares

A 5-star road to Col d'Ares in the Pyrenees

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 Valberg

A Nice Road to Col de Valberg in the Alpes Maritimes

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.

Mont Malamot

An Old Military Road to the Summit of Mont Malamot in the Cottian Alps

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 Viraysse

The Road to Col de Viraysse: No Turning Back If You Change Your Mind

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.

Col de Castillon

Col de Castillon is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers in the Alpes-Maritimes

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

Driving the Mythical Road to Col d'Aspin in the French Pyrenees

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

Col du Noyer is an iconic Tour de France climb

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

The Steep, Rough Road to Col de la Vallee Etroite is Not for the Faint of Heart

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

Col de Joux Plane is one of the six major passes of the French Alps

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

Travel Guide to the Top of Fort de la Marguerie in the Maritime Alps

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

Val Thorens: One of the Longest and Biggest Climbs in 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.

D29 Road

D29 is an Iconic French Balcony Road in the Aude department

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

A Wild 4x4 Road to Col du Bouchet in the Massif de la Vanoise

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

Driving Through the Iconic Tunnel du Galibier

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 de l’Herpie

Courage is Required to Drive to Pic de l’Herpie

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.

Col des Gets

Col des Gets is a classic road trip in the Alps

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.

Cratère Commerson

How to get by car to Commerson Crater on Reunion Island?

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 du Portillon

Driving the dizzying paved road to Col du Portillon on the Spanish-French border

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.

Col des Ves

Travel guide to the top of Col des Ves

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.

Col de la Faucille

A great paved road to Col de la Faucille in the Jura Mountains

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.

Lac des Bouillouses

How to get by car to Lac des Bouillouses in the Pyrenees?

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.

Crête de la Pendine

The road to Crete de la Pendine is not for the faint of heart

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 des Gondrans

How to get to the fort at the summit of Col des Gondrans in the Hautes-Alpes?

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 Solude

A Narrow Road to Col du Solude in the French Alps

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 du Petit Mont Cenis

Adventure along the wild road to Col du Petit Mont Cenis

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.

Gorges de la Vésubie

Driving the Scenic Road Through the Gorges de la Vesubie in Alpes-Maritimes

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.

Cirque de Gavarnie

Travel Guide to the Cirque de Gavarnie

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.

Col de l’Agus

Travel Guide to Col de Lagues

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 Rebenty

A narrow balcony road through Gorges de Rebenty

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.

Col des Montets

How to drive through Col des Montets in the French Alps?

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.

Col de la Met

Col de la Met is one of the highest mountain roads in Europe

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.

Route de l'Authion

Travelling through the scenic Route de l'Authion in the Alpes-Maritimes

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 Mallemort

An old military road to Col de Mallemort

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.

Pierre-sur-Haute

How difficult is the military road to Pierre-sur-Haute in France?

Pierre-sur-Haute is the highest point of the Monts du Forez, reaching an elevation of 1,631m (5,351ft) above sea level in the Massif Central. Straddling the border between the Loire and Puy-de-Dôme departments, the summit is a fortress of antennas and military gear. The road to the top is a strange, hybrid beast: a narrow strip of asphalt on one side and a broken dirt track on the other, where the weather is so violent that the French Air Force often has to abandon wheels for tracked vehicles to reach the base.

L'Aiguille Percée

Travel Guide to L'Aiguille Percee

L'Aiguille Percée is a rock formation at an elevation of 2,732m (8,963ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de l'Arpettaz

Col de l'Arpettaz: If you like hairpin turns, this is the road for you

Col de l'Arpettaz is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,581 m (5,187 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de Mantet

The paved road to Col de Mantet is not for the sissies

Col de Mantet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,760m (5,774ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in France. The road is incredibly narrow, with a steep, unprotected drop to one side throughout. It’s also regularly covered in snow, making it even more treacherous.

Col du Soulor

A Delightful Yet Challenging Paved Road to Col du Soulor in the Pyrenees

Col du Soulor is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,474m (4,835ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in France.

L’Ubayette bridge

Travelling through the spectacular L’Ubayette Bridge

Located within the Mercantour National Park, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France, L’Ubayette Bridge is a short wooden bridge. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.