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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Crossing the scenic Pont de la Mariee
Located in the Alpes-Maritimes, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in southeastern France, Pont de la Mariée (Bride's Bridge) is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
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.
Mont Colombis: Driving the steep 10% paved climb in the Hautes-Alpes
Mont Colombis is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,734 meters (5,686 ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. The road to the summit is a narrow and punishing paved track that scales the slopes above the Durance valley. Starting from Remollon, the ascent spans 12.3 kilometers with a vertical gain of 1,066 meters. The climb is notorious for its sustained ramps that exceed 10%, requiring a vehicle in perfect mechanical condition to handle the constant strain on the engine and brakes.
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 the sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France.
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.
Fort Tabourde
Fort Tabourde (Forte Taburda) is a military fortress at an elevation of 1.987m (6,519ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, near the Italian border.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Chris Froome has become the first man to cycle non-stop the Eurotunnel
Completed in 1993, the Channel Tunnel is the longest undersea tunnel in the world and connects the southern part of England with northern France.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Road trip guide: Conquering Mur de Peguere in the Occitanie
Mur de Péguère is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,375m (4,511ft) above sea level, located in the Occitanie region of France. It’s a killer climb: on paper, it only averages 7.9%, but that’s thanks to some relatively gentle lower slopes.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The narrow D102 is a dangerous balcony road
D102 is a short mountain road located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in southeastern France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.
How to get by car to Girotte Lake in Savoie?
Lac de la Girotte is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.753m (5,751ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.
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.
Col de Thorens
Col de Thorens is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.118m (10,229ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Col du Mollard: an iconic road in the French Alps
Col du Mollard is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.638m (5,374ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Le Mauvais Pass, a narrow road to the summit
Le Mauvais Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.779m (5,836ft) above the sea level located in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France, close to the Italian border.
Mont de la Chambre
Mont de la Chambre is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.844m (9,330ft) above the sea level located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
A memorable road trip to Col des Voltes
Col des Voltes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.823m (5,980ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France.
A memorable road trip to Col de Riou in the Pyrenees
Col de Riou is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.949m (6,394ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitan region of south-western France.
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.
A curvy paved road to Col de Perty
Col de Perty is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.302m (4,271ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.