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.

Gorges de l'Aude

How to drive the scenic balcony road through Gorges de l'Aude in Occitania?

Gorges de l'Aude is a very scenic yet narrow canyon, located in the Aude department of France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

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.

Pic Blanc

A wild high-mountain road to Pic Blanc in the Alps

Pic Blanc is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.305m (10,843ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

L’Ubayette bridge

Travelling through the spectacular L’Ubayette Bridge in the Provence

L’Ubayette Bridge is a short wooden bridge located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Faux Col de Restefond

Faux Col de Restefond is one of the highest paved roads in France

Faux Col de Restefond is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,656m (8,713ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in France. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Col de Rousset

Col de Rousset is an epic road in the Vercors massif

Col de Rousset is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,254 m (4,114 ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department of France. The road through the pass winds its way between Die and the village of Chamaloc in a setting that still feels like Provence, with its lavender fragrance.

Col de Pause

Travel Guide to the Top of Col de Pause in the Pyrenees

Col de Pause is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,542m (5,059ft) above sea level, located in the Ariège department of France.

Col du Coq

A Hairpinned Paved Road to Col du Coq

Col du Coq is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,434m (4,704ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France. This climb is definitely harsh and grueling.

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 de Peyresourde

A beautiful road through a scenic valley to Col de Peyresourde

Col de Peyresourde is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,569m (5,148ft) above sea level, located in the Occitanie region of France.

Col de la Chambotte

A Dramatic Balcony Road Above the Stunning Lac du Bourget: Col de la Chambotte

Col de la Chambotte is a mountain pass at an elevation of 650m (2,132ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. This dramatic narrow road, one of the most famous French balcony roads, offers sweeping views high above the stunning Lac du Bourget.

Col dés Pres

A brutal unpaved road to Col des Pres

Col dés Pres is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,652m (8,700ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Col de Spandelles

Dare to Drive the Challenging Col de Spandelles

Col de Spandelles is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,378m (4,520ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in France.

Pont Du Châtelet

Crossing the 108m high Pont Du Chatelet

Pont Du Châtelet is a narrow stone bridge located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Route Du Pas de la Confession

Route Du Pas de la Confession is a balcony road in the French Alps

Pas de la Confession (the Confession Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,541m (5,055ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France. The pass earned its name because the route was so risky that travelers were encouraged to confess their sins before attempting it. It is one of the most famous French balcony roads.

Col de Scalella

A curvy road to Col de Scalella, in Corsica

Col de Scalella is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,193m (3,914ft) above sea level, located on the island of Corsica, in France.

Col de Portel

A demanding narrow ridge road to Col de Portel in the French Pyrenees

Col de Portel is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,432m (4,698ft) above sea level, located in the Ariège department of France. This narrow strip of asphalt traces the high spine of the Massif de l'Arize, offering a spectacular journey across several Pyrenean summits.

Altiport de Courchevel

How to get by car to the dangerous Altiport de Courchevel in the Alps?

Located in the heart of the French Alps, Courchevel Airport is an altiport (a mountain airport) at an elevation of 2,014 m (6,607 ft) above sea level. It’s ranked as the seventh most dangerous airport in the world.

Corniche de l’Esterel

Corniche de l’Esterel is a classic coastal route in France

Corniche de l’Esterel is a classic coastal route located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Pas de la Graille

Travel Guide to Pas de la Graille

Pas de la Graille is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,597m (5,239ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in France.

Fort de la Turra

How to Get to the Abandoned Fort de la Turra by Car?

The ancien Fort de La Turra is an abandoned high-mountain fort at an elevation of 2,493m (8,179ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

D914 Road

How to Drive the Scenic Road D914 Through the Cote Vermeille?

The D914 road, also known as Route d’Espagne, is a very scenic drive with stunning coastal views, running through the Côte Vermeille, in France.

Gorges de la Jonte

A wild paved road through Gorges de la Jonte in Occitania

Gorges de la Jonte is a very scenic canyon, carved by the Jonte River, located in the Occitania region of France.

Clot de l’Alpe

How to drive the unpaved road to Clot de l’Alpe?

Clot de l’Alpe is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,361m (7,746ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col de La Madeleine (Savoie)

Driving to Col de La Madeleine in Savoie is Pure Adventure

Col de La Madeleine is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,716m (8,910ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department of France. 

Col de Moulata

The unpaved road to Col de Moulata in the Pyrenees

Col de Moulata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,685m (5,528ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.

Col de la Chambre

Col de la Chambre: this road is not for timid drivers

Col de la Chambre is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,787m (9,143ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads in the country. 

Signal de Bisanne

An epic mountain road to Signal de Bisanne

Signal de Bisanne is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,930m (6,332ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. This pass is one of only two climbs in France classified by the ASO as "Epic", which is similar to an Hors Catégorie (HC) climb.

Col de la Luzette

A paved road to the summit of Col de la Luzette in the Massif Central

Col de la Luzette is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,350m (4,429ft) above sea level, located in the Gard department of France.

Col de la Toviere

The road to Col de la Toviere in the Alps isn't for sissies

Col de la Toviere is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.682m (8,799ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Mont Chauve

How to get by car to Fort du Mont-Chauve in Nice?

Mont Chauve d'Aspremont is a mountain peak at an elevation of 835m (2,739ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Road D662

How to Drive the D662, a Balcony Road Along the Lot River

Route Départementale D662 is a very scenic road located in the Lot department of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Clue de la Maglia

Clue de la Maglia is a balcony road in France

Clue de la Maglia is a very scenic canyon located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road between walls of cliffs and gorges is a delight.

Fort Tabourde

How to drive the unpaved road to Fort Tabourde?

Fort Tabourde (Forte Taburda) is a military fortress at an elevation of 1.987m (6,519ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department.

Clue de Carajuan

Clue de Carajuan is a balcony road in France

Clue de Carajuan is a very scenic canyon located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road between walls of cliffs and gorges is a delight.

Passage de la Petite Clue

Passage de la Petite Clue is a balcony road in France

Passage de la Petite Clue is a short mountain road located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It was bypassed by a tunnel and totally closed to motor vehicles. It's one of the famous French balcony roads.

Mount Saleve

How to drive to Mount Saleve, the "Balcony of Geneva"?

Mount Saleve is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,379m (4,524ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France.

Col de Chavière

The Road to Col de Chaviere is Not for the Faint of Heart

Col de Chavière is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,477m (8,126ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de Bassachaux

Col de Bassachaux: The paved climb and the hidden gravel 4x4 descent

Nestled in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, in the Haute-Savoie department of France, Col de Bassachaux is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,778m (5,833ft) above sea level. This pass is a legendary balcony over the French Alps, sitting near the Swiss border and offering a dramatic contrast between a modern paved ascent and a rugged, high-risk gravel track on its southern flank.

Road D102

The narrow D102 is a dangerous balcony road

D102 is a short mountain road located in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.

Col du Raspaillon

An awe-inspiring road to Col du Raspaillon

Col du Raspaillon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,525 m (8,284 ft) above sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Col de Port

A Paved Road to Col de Port in the French Pyrenees

Col de Port is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,249m (4,098ft) above sea level, located in the Ariège department, in France.

Pont de la Mariée

Crossing the scenic Pont de la Mariée

Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France, Pont de la Mariée (Bride's Bridge) is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Lac d'Aumar

How to Get by Car to Lac d'Aumar, One of the Highest Paved Roads in the Pyrenees

Lac d'Aumar is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,192 m (7,191 ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.

Col de la Colle-Saint-Michel

Travel guide to the top of Col de la Colle-Saint-Michel in the Provence

Col de la Colle-Saint-Michel is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,431m (4,694ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in France.