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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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. 

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.

Col de Bostmendieta is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.054m (3,458ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département, in France.

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.

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.

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.

Luz Ardiden is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.720m (5,643ft) located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitan region of south-western France. It has featured several times as a summit finish in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España races.

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.

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.

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.

Colle delle Chaberton is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.674m (8,772ft) above the sea level, located in the French Alps, in the département of Hautes-Alpes.

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.

Fort de la Platte is a military fortress at an elevation of 2.009m (6,591ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Roche de Mio is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.716m (8,910ft) above sea level, located in the Graian Alps, in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. 

Col de Fresse is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.777m (9,110ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps. I

Col des Veaux is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 540m (1,771ft) above the sea level, located on the French-Spanish border.

Passo di Collardente-Pas de Colle Ardente, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.617m (5,305 ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps on the border between Italy and France. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Via del Sale.

Col de la Vaccia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.193m (3,914ft) above the sea level, located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica.

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.

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. 

Col de la Fréte o de la Chiaupe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.494m (8,182ft) above the sea level, located in the Graian Alps, in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

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.

Prat d'Albis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.201m (3,940ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in southwestern France in the Occitanie region.

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.

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.

Planche des Belles Filles is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.148m (3,766ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Saône department of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, in France.

Parking des Millefonts is a high mountain parking at an elevation of 2.040m (6,692ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.

Col des Posettes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.997m (6,551ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col de la Chal is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.460m (8,070ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col Bagargui is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.327m (4,353ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.

Col de la Sinne (also known as Col de la Sinna) is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,438m (4,717ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. At the summit (44.0255, 7.06854), there is a small historic chapel.

Collet du Plan Nicolas is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.406m (7,893ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

The Port de Lers is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.517m (4,977ft) above the sea level, located in the French Pyrenees in the department of Ariège. There are numerous ramps above 10%.

Bocca di Verdi, also known as Col de Verde, is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.289m (4,229ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse departments of France on the island of Corsica.

Col de la Core is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,395m (4,577ft) above sea level, located in the Ariège department of the French Pyrenees. This pass is a staple of the Tour de France and serves as a vital link between the Bethmale Valley and the Salat Valley.

Col de la Quillane is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.714m (5,623ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in southern France.

Col de Tourniol is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.145m (3,756ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in southeast-central France.

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.

Pas de Morgins is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.378m (4,520ft) above the sea level, located on the border of France and Switzerland.

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 du Festre is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.441m (4,727ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.