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.

Défilé de Joucou

A Treacherous Balcony Road Through Defile de Joucou in Occitania

Défilé de Joucou is a very narrow canyon carved by the Le Rebenty river, located in the department of Aude, in France, where even a road barely fits. Pictures don't do it justice; it's one of the famous French balcony roads.

Col de Jou

The Wild Road to Col de Jou in the Pyrenees

Col de Jou is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.125m (3,690ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in France.

Col de Cluy

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.

Col de Jau

An iconic Tour de France road to Col de Jau

Col de Jau is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,509m (4,950ft) above sea level, located in the Occitania region of France.

Col d'Azet

An epic road to Col d'Azet in the Pyrenees

Col d'Azet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,580m (5,183ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.

Fort de la Redoute

The military road to Fort de la Redoute in Savoie

Fort de la Redoute is a high mountain fort at an elevation of 2,346 m (7,696 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col du Poutran

A memorable road trip to Col du Poutran in the French Alps

Col du Poutran is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,996m (6,548ft) above sea level, located in the commune of Huez, in France.

Col de l’Infernet

The old military road to Col de l’Infernet in the Hautes-Alpes

Col de l’Infernet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,355m (7,726ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col du Lachens

The road to Col du Lachens isn’t an easy one

Col du Lachens is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.714m (5,623ft) above sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Mont Faron

How to get by car to Mont Faron in Toulon?

Mont Faron is a mountain peak at an elevation of 584 m (1,916 ft) above sea level, located on southern France’s Mediterranean coast, overlooking the city and roadstead of Toulon. It features sweeping views and a WWII memorial.

Road D33

D33 is a winding paved road in Corsica

Located in the Haute-Corse department of France, on the north-east of the island of Corsica, D33 is a very scenic coastal road. Drive slowly because there is no room for mistakes.

Col de Lauzun

A brutal road to Col de Lauzun in the French Alps

Col de Lauzun is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.809m (9,215ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Col de Finiels

Guide to the top of Col de Finiels

Col de Finiels is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.541m (5,055ft) above sea level, located in the Lozère département of France.

Collade des Roques Blanches

Conquering the wild road to Collade des Roques Blanches

Collade des Roques Blanches is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,260m (7,414ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France.

Col de Bleine

A pretty bumpy narrow road to Col de Bleine in the Provence

Col de Bleine is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,439 m (4,721 ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Tour de Madeloc

Driving the D86: Tour de Madeloc's Hairpin Turns

The Tour de Madeloc or Route Madeloc is a very small, narrow road located near the Spanish border and Cap Cerbere, in southern France. The route is part of the scenic Route des Cols and connects the coastal towns of Banyuls-Sur-Mer and Colliure.

Refuge du Plan du Lac

How to get to Refuge du Plan du Lac in the Alps?

Reaching the Refuge du Plan du Lac is a journey into the high-altitude silence of the Vanoise National Park. At 2,370m (7,775ft) above sea level, this mountain hut in the Savoie department of France sits surrounded by glaciers and 3,000-meter peaks. The road from the valley is spectacular, but it’s not a free-for-all; this is protected territory, and the rules for driving here are as strict as the winter weather.

Punta Bagna

Road trip guide: Conquering Punta Bagna in the Savoie

Punta Bagna is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,730m (8,956ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Défilé de Ruoms

Driving the challenging Défilé de Ruoms, a French balcony road

Défilé de Ruoms is a very scenic canyon located in the Ardèche department of France. It’s one of the most scenic balcony roads of the country.

Col de Tramassel

An Epic Climb to Col de Tramassel in the Pyrenees

Col de Tramassel is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,635m (5,364ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France.

Mont Revard

An awe-inspiring road to Mont Revard in Savoie

Mont Revard is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,562m (5,125ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Col de Thorens

How to drive the unpaved road to Col de Thorens?

Col de Thorens is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.118m (10,229ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Val Pelouse

How to get by car to the abandoned Val Pelouse resort in Savoie?

Val Pelouse is an abandoned ski station at an elevation of 1.728m (5,669ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Scenic France: Comparing Iconic Rail Routes and Mountain Roads

10 Most Scenic Railroads Across France

One of the best ways to explore the true beauty of France is by hopping on a train and letting it take you through the most stunning locations! However, how to know which railways to choose and which journeys are the most worth it? Do not worry; we are here to help you make this decision. Here are our top 10 most scenic railroads across France!

Gorges d'Omblèze

Driving the Gorges d'Omblèze: A limestone balcony road in the Vercors

Located in the Drôme department of southeastern France, the Gorges d'Omblèze offer one of the most technical and visually striking balcony road experiences in the Parc naturel régional du Vercors. Carved into the sheer limestone cliffs by the La Gervanne river, the D578 road is a narrow ribbon of asphalt that clings to the canyon wall. It is a route where the vertical scale of the Vercors is felt in every meter, demanding absolute precision from anyone behind the wheel.

D89 Road

How to drive the paved D89 Road in the Pyrenees?

D89 is a very scenic paved mountain road located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France, on the way to Puigmal (also called Puigmal d'Err).

Col de la Vaccia

Col de la Vaccia: Driving the D69 Route des Trois Cols in Corsica

Col de la Vaccia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,193m (3,914ft) above sea level, located in the Corse-du-Sud department on the island of Corsica, France. The pass is a strategic point on the D69 road, a route that crosses the granite backbone of the island. Known locally as Passo della Vaccia, it is a key link for interior logistics, connecting the high valleys of the Taravo and the Alta Rocca.

Col de Soudet

A classic road trip to Col de Soudet in the Pyrenees

Col de Soudet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.540m (5,052ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of France.

Refuge de Laval

How to get by car to Refuge de Laval in the Hautes-Alpes?

Refuge de Laval is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,008m (6,587ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France.

Col de la Llose

A sensational paved road to Col de la Llose in the French Pyrenees

Col de la Llose is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,866 m (6,122 ft) above sea level, located in the Occitanie region of France.

Col de la Bâthie

The unpaved road to Col de la Bathie in Savoie

Col de la Bâthie is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,884m (6,181ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Colle delle Chaberton

Driving the Strada Militare dello Chaberton: Europe’s highest dead-end road

The military road to Colle delle Chaberton is not just a high-altitude track; it is a test of mechanical endurance and nerves. Rising to 2,674 meters in the French Alps, this unpaved route is famous for its extreme gradients and the way the mountain is slowly reclaiming the asphalt. If you plan to drive the Strada Militare dello Chaberton, you need to understand that beyond a certain point, the road simply ceases to exist for conventional vehicles.

Clue du Pérouré

Clue du Peroure is a French balcony road

Clue du Pérouré is a canyon with dramatic views located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.

Clue de Chasteuil

Clue de Chasteuil is a balcony road in France

Clue de Chasteuil is a very scenic canyon located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

Glacier du Varet

How to get to Glacier du Varet in Savoie?

Glacier du Varet is a high mountain glacier at an elevation of 2,883 m (9,458 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Col de Menté and Col de la Clin

Col de Menté and Col de la Clin: Driving the 25 hairpins of the Haute-Garonne

Located in the heart of the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France, Col de Menté is a classic Pyrenean mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,347m (4,419ft) above sea level. This pass, combined with the nearby Col de la Clin, forms a challenging and spectacular driving route through the Occitania region, famous for its technical switchbacks and its history in professional cycling.

Col d’Eylac

How to drive to the summit of Col d’Eylac in Cantal

Col d’Eylac is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,442 m (4,730 ft) above sea level, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

17 Tournants de Chevreuse

17 Tournants de Chevreuse, an iconic drive south of Paris

17 Turns of Chevreuse is a legendary motorcycle ride located in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France, in the south suburb of Paris, in north-central France.

Le Mauvais Pass

A narrow road to the summit of Le Mauvais Pass

Le Mauvais Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.779m (5,836ft) above sea level located in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France.

Col de Pierre Plate

Col de Pierre Plate: The Road That Has It All!

Col de Pierre Plate is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,027m (3,369ft) above sea level, located in the Lozère department of France.

Mont-Aigoual

Water, snow and fog at the top of Mont-Aigoual

Mont-Aigoual is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.567m (5,141ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the Lozère and Gard departments in southern France. At the peak you have unlimited views and the highest manned weather station in France.

Coll de Sansa

Travel guide to the top of Coll de Sansa in the Pyrenees

Coll de Sansa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,770m (5,807ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of France.

Madone de Fenestre

How to get by car to Madone de Fenestre in the Alpes-Maritimes?

Madone de Fenestre is a high mountain chapel at an elevation of 1,904m (6,246ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Col du Mollard

An iconic road to Col du Mollard in the French Alps

Col du Mollard is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.638m (5,374ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Tunnel des Montets

How to drive through Tunnel des Montets

Located in the Haute-Savoie department of France, Tunnel des Montets is a mountain tunnel used by trains which also allows road traffic to avoid the Col des Montets mountain pass when there is heavy snowfall or avalanche danger.