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 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.
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.
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.
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 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).
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Driving the challenging Défilé de Ruoms, a French balcony road
Défilé de Ruoms is the name of a very scenic defile located in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It’s one of the most scenic balcony roads of the country.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Clue de Chasteuil is a balcony road in France
Clue de Chasteuil is a very scenic drive located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road between walls of cliffs and gorges is a delight.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
How to drive the narrow road to Col des Veaux?
The Col des Veaux is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 540m (1,771ft) above sea level, located on the border between France (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) and Spain (Navarre). The road spans 19.9 km, linking Louhossoa in the north with Amaiur-Maya in the Baztan valley to the south. Although the surface is fully paved, the route is pretty challenging due to its extreme narrowness and steep gradients that characterize the western Pyrenees.
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.
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 theCol des Montets mountain pass when there is heavy snowfall or avalanche danger.
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!
The iconic climb to Luz Ardiden
Luz Ardiden is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.720m (5,643ft) above sea level, located in the Occitan region of France. The summit served as the stage finish line for both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.
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.
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.
A winding road to Bocca di Sorba in Corsica
Bocca di Sorba is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.311m (4,301ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica. The road to the summit is awesome, with sections up to 10.7%. Tight bends and faster sweepers. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.
Pointe de la Masse
Pointe de la Masse is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.790m (9,153ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps.
Travel guide to the top of Col des Annes
Col des Annes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.721m (5,646ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Driving the steep D308 to Col de la Ramaz: The challenge of Tunnel de Sommand
Col de la Ramaz is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,619m (5,311ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France. This pass is a classic of the French Alps, connecting the Giffre valley with the Praz de Lys ski area, and is world-renowned for its frequent inclusion in the Tour de France.
The road to Lac du Barrage d'Ossoue isn't an easy one
Lac du Barrage d'Ossoue is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.842m (6,043ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées, a department in southwestern France.
The road to Mont Vial is said to be the scary of scaries
Mont Vial is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.527m (5,009ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the few peaks of the backcountry behind Nice that is recognisable from the sea.
Bocca di Verdi: Driving the high-altitude D69 in Corsica
Bocca di Verdi is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,289m (4,229ft) above sea level, located on the island of Corsica, France. The pass, also known as Col de Verde or Foci di Verdi, sits on the boundary between the departments of Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse. The road through the summit is a central segment of the D69, a high-altitude route that crosses the island’s interior through dense pine forests and granite ridges.
How to drive the unpaved road to Roche de Mio?
Roche de Mio is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.716m (8,910ft) above sea level, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
An awe-inspiring drive to Col d'Ornon
Col d'Ornon is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.360m (4,462ft) above the sea level, located in the Dauphiné Alps, in the department of Isère in France.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Grand Col
Grand Col is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.939m (9,642ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
The wild unpaved road to Col de la Fréte in Savoie
Col de la Fréte is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.494m (8,182ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department in France.
Tête de Veret: Driving the Inhuman Unpaved 21% Ramps of the Grand Massif
Tête de Veret is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.309 m (7,575 ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of the Rhône-Alpes region, in southeastern France.