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 du Lisey

Road trip guide: Conquering Col du Lisey

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 Carabes

Is the road to Col de Carabès in the French Alps difficult to drive?

Reaching the Col de Carabès is like stepping back in time to the old, forgotten roads of the French Alps. At 1,261m (4,137ft) above sea level, this pass sits on the boundary between the Hautes-Alpes and the Drôme departments. It’s not a major mountain crossing, but a narrow, winding asphalt ribbon that feels more like a private driveway through the forest than a public road. If you don't like tight spaces and steep drops, this route will test your nerves.

Mont Bouquet

Mont Bouquet

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.

Gorges de la Ruda

Gorges de la Ruda: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The Gorges de la Ruda is a canyon located in the Haute-Corse department on the island of Corsica, France. The route is carved into red granite cliffs by the Ruda and Golo rivers and is widely considered one of the French balcony roads due to its narrow ledge construction and vertical drops.

Mont Chiran

The Wild Road to Mont Chiran

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.

Gorges Du Val de Fier

Taking on the Twists and Turns of Gorges Du Val de Fier

Gorges Du Val de Fier is a very scenic canyon located on the boundary of the Haute-Savoie and the Savoie departments in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. It’s one of the scenic French balcony roads.

Mont Caume

A narrow and winding mountain road to Mont Caume,

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

Col de Valbelle

Road trip guide: Conquering Col de Valbelle

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.

Refuge Drayères

Road trip guide: Conquering Refuge Drayères

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 des Basses

An awe-inspiring road to Col des Basses

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 des Cortalets

How to drive the defiant unpaved road to Col des Cortalets?

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

Coll des Molles

A memorable road trip to Coll des Molles

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.

Lac de la Glère

A Most Tricky Scenic Drive to Lac de la Glère

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

Col du Lauzet

Col du Lauzet

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 de Solaison

How to drive the paved road to Col de Solaison, a HC climb in the Haute-Savoie?

Col de Solaison is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.500m (4,921ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of France.

Sommet de la Saulire

Sommet de la Saulire, one of the highest roads of France

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.

D71

Road D71

Located in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France, the D71 road is a very exciting journey. This is definitely not a Sunday drive. Steep drops and loads of tourists in summer. Visit outside busy periods.

Semnoz

Semnoz

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.

Col de Saint-Alexis

Col de Saint-Alexis: A Scenic Gateway to the Vercors Highlands

Col de Saint-Alexis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,222m (4,009ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department of southeastern France. Situated within the Vercors Regional Natural Park, this pass serves as a serene transition between the rugged southern ridges and the historic high plateau of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Col de la Lariée

Col de la Lariée: Driving the 1,964m military track on the French-Italian border

Col de la Lariée is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,964m (6,443ft) above sea level, located on the international border between France and Italy.

Col du Val d'Ese

Taking on the Twists and Turns to Col du Val d'Ese in Corsica

Col du Val d'Ese is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.615 m (5,298 ft) above sea level, located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica.

Lac des Gloriettes

The steep narrow road to Lac des Gloriettes

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

Clue du Terminet

Gorges of Terminet, a balcony road in France

Clue du Terminet is a spectacular canyon formed by Le Sou river in the Aude department in southern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col des Embrasures

Travel guide to the top of Col des Embrasures

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.

Chalet-Refuge des Mottets

Chalet-Refuge des Mottets

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 de la Madone

Route de Thiéry is a balcony road to Col de la Madone

Col de la Madone is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.165m (3,822ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Pas de l'Âne

How to drive the unpaved road to Pas de l'Âne in Savoie?

Pas de l'Âne is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.091m (6,860ft) above sea level, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France.

Col de l’Eychauda

Road trip guide: Conquering Col de l’Eychauda

Col de l’Eychauda is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.433m (7,982ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in France.

Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette

A paved road to Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette

Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette is a high mountain sanctuary at an elevation of 1.787m (5,862ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.

Ravin de la Platte

Don’t glance down at your phone on Ravin de la Platte

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.

Route de Duranus

Route de Duranus is an Absolute Must for Scenic Road Lovers

Route de Duranus is a breathtaking drive located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.

Les Grandes Platières

How to drive the unpaved road to Les Grandes Platières in Savoie

Les Grandes Platières is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.473m (8,113ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in France.

Col du Lac Blanc

How to drive the unpaved road to Col du Lac Blanc in Isere?

Col du Lac Blanc is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.803m (9,196ft) above sea level, located in the Isère department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Mont Coucouluche

Driving the wild M59, a balcony road to Mont Coucouluche in the Provence

Mont Coucouluche is a mountain pass at an elevation of 932 m (3,057 ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It's one of the famous French balcony roads.

Col Nazie

The road to Col Nazie, pure adventure

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.

Fort de Roche la Croix

Fort de Roche la Croix

Fort de Roche la Croix is a high mountain military fortress at an elevation of 1.906m (6,253ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.

Fort de Lenlon

Fort de Lenlon

Fort de Lenlon is a military fortress at an elevation of 2.508m (8,228ft) above the sea level, located in the Dauphiné region of southeastern France.

Bocca de Sevi

Bocca de Sevi

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.

Col des Fourches

Col des Fourches

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

Col du Buis

Col du Buis

Col du Buis is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.196m (3,923ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of South-eastern France.

Col de Vaumale

Col de Vaumale

Col de Vaumale is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.202m (3,943ft) above the sea level, located in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.

Bellevarde

How to drive the unpaved road to Bellevarde in Savoie?

Bellevarde is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.783m (9,130ft) above sea level, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It’s one of the highest roads of the country. 

Fort de Pattacreuse

Fort de Pattacreuse

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.

Col du Piéfroid

Driving to Col du Piéfroid: A brutal 18% 4x4 climb in the Isère Alps

Located in the Isère department of southeastern France, the track to Col du Piéfroid is one of the most extreme high-altitude challenges in the French Alps. Reaching an elevation of 2,937m (9,635ft) above sea level, this is a raw, unpaved service road that serves the chairlift infrastructure of the region. It is a journey of pure verticality, where the thin air and the brutal incline screen out all but the most experienced off-road drivers and expedition-grade vehicles.

Refugi de Marialles

Road to Refugi de Marialles: A Technical Drive in the Canigó Massif

Located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France, Refugi de Marialles (also known as Refugi de Mariailles) is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1,718m (5,636ft) above sea level. Nestled within the Massís del Canigó, the access route is a challenging forest track.