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 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.

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.

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.

Col de la Celle Vieille is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.099m (6,886ft) above the sea level, located in the Mercantour National Park, on the French-Italian border.

Mont Bouquet is a mountain pass at an elevation of 628m (2,060ft) above the sea level, located in the Gard department in southern France.

The scenic Gorges de Padern are located in the Aude department in southern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de la Clin is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.250m (4,101ft) above the sea level located in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France.

Col de la Bataille is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.313m (4,307ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.

Cirque de Cilaos is a large rock amphitheater, at an elevation of 1.586m (5,203ft) above the sea level, located on the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. The sometimes nail-biting drive is well worth it!

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.

Col de la Loze is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.308m (7,572ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Mont Chiran is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.905m (6,250ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the south of France.

Coll des Molles is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.089m (6,853ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France, near the border with Spain and the Autonomous Community of Catalonia.

Refuge Drayères is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.189m (7,181ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Col du Lisey is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.086m (6,843ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, in the Midi-Pyrénées.

Col de Solaison is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.500m (4,921ft) above the sea level, located in Haute-Savoie, in the Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France, bordering both Switzerland and Italy.

Monte Grai is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,920m (6,299ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border.

Gorges d'Omblèze is a spectacular canyon carved into the limestone by La Gervanne river in the Drôme department in southeastern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Signale de Lure is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.826m (5,991ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in France.

Col de Carabes is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.261m (4,137ft) above the sea level, located in southeastern France.

Chalet-Refuge des Mottets is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.872m (6,1414ft) above the sea level located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col des Basses is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.786m (5,859ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France, near the border with Spain and the Autonomous Community of Catalonia.

Col du Lauzet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.225m (7,299ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Col des Embrasures is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.305m (7,562ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France, near the Italian border.

Col de Valbelle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.372m (7,782ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Semnoz, also known as Crêt de Chatillon, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.660m (5,446ft) above the sea level, located in the Bauges range, in Haute-Savoie, 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.

Barrage des Gloriettes is a high mountain lake in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.

Grande Motte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.030m (9,940ft) above the sea level, located in Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France.  It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Lac de l’Ouillette is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.521m (8,270ft) above the sea level,  situated in the department of Savoie, in France, near the border with Italy.

Col de Cannelle is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,882 meters (6,174 feet) above sea level, located on the border between France and Italy.

Col Nazie is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.902m (6,240ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

Gorges de Nouailles is a canyon formed by the Loue River, located in the Doubs department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

Col du Mottet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.374m (7,788ft) above the sea level, located in the Massif de la Vanoise range, in Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps.

Sommet de la Saulire is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.697m (8,848ft) above the sea level, located in the Massif de la Vanoise range, in Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps.

Col des Cortalets is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.050m (6,725ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France.

Pic de Chabrières is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.701m (8,861ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Ravin de la Platte is a high mountain ravine at an elevation of 1.853m (6,079ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo.

Tete de Veret is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.309m (7,575ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col de Saint-Alexis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.222m (4,009ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Drôme in southeastern France.

Mont Caume is a mountain pass at an elevation of 801m (2,627ft) above the sea level, located in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.

Lac de la Glère is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.152m (7,060ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitanie region of south-western France.

Col des Fourches is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.258m (7,408ft) above the sea level located in the Maritime Alps, in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur

Fort de Pattacreuse is a high mountain fortress at an elevation of 2.385m (7,824ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Bocca de Sevi, also known as Col de Sevi, is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.101m (3,612ft) above the sea level, located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica.