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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
D29 is a scenic balcony road in the Alpes-Maritimes
D29 is a short mountain road linking the villages of Guillaumes and Valberg, in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.
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.
A thrilling (scary) off-road experience to Col de Chérine
Col de Chérine is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,295m (7,529ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.
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.
A mule track to Col d’Artzatey in the Pyrenees
Col d’Artzatey is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 662m (2,171ft) above sea level, located on the Spanish-French border.
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.
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.
How to Drive The Balcony Road Through Gorges de l’Asco in Corsica
Gorges de l’Asco is an incredible canyon located in Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Tucked away in the Haute-Corse department, the gorge is carved by the Asco River. This hidden gem is traversed by the D147, a narrow-paved road following the winding course of the river.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
La Grande Clue: A Balcony Road in France
Passage de la Grande Clue is a short balcony 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
A thrilling (scary) off-road experience 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.
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.
Crossing the 108m high Pont Du Chatelet
Pont Du Châtelet is the name of a narrow stone bridge located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adventure Along the Wild Road to Col de Cluy
Col de Cluy is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,813m (5,948ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department, in France.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.