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 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
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.
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.
Travel guide to the top of Col du Grand Renard
Col du Grand Renard is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.455m (8,054ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Col de Corobin
Col de Corobin is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.230m (4,035ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.
Driving through Gorges de la Cadière, a French balcony road
Gorges de la Cadière is a canyon formed by the Argentesse river, located in the Gard department, in Occitanie region of southern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.
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 the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
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.
Les Grandes Platières
Les Grandes Platières is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.473m (8,113ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.
Col du Lac Blanc
Col du Lac Blanc is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.803m (9,196ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
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.
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.
Col de Saint Georges-Chalet Josserand
Col de Saint Georges-Chalet Josserand is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.245m (7,477ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in the department of Hautes-Alpes in France.
Col du Ranfolly
Col du Ranfolly is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.650m (5,413ft)above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Pas de l'Âne
Pas de l'Âne is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.091m (6,860ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
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.
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.
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 that requires specific vehicle capabilities.
Col de Pierre Grosse
Col de Pierre Grosse is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.322m (4,337ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
Col du Pradier: Driving the Mixed-Surface Route des Alpages
Located in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col du Pradier is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,450m (4,757ft) above sea level. The climb follows the Route des Alpages, a technical track that transitions from asphalt to a rough mountain path as it gains altitude in the Rhône-Alpes region.
Cugnai Lift
Cugnai Lift is a chair lift for skiers at an elevation of 2.884m (9,471ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department of southeastern France.
Col du Mont Noir
Col du Mont Noir is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.421m above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
Col de Furfande
Col de Furfande is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.500m (8,202ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of south-eastern France.
Bellevarde
Bellevarde is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.783m (9,130ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps.
Piste de Clausis, pure adventure
Piste de Clausis is a high mountain gravel road located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France in the Queyras Regional Natural Park. The road is 6.2km long.
Col du Souchet
Col du Souchet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.365m (7,759ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Roche Madeleine
Roche Madeleine is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.370m (7,775ft) above the sea level located in the French Alps, near the border with Italy, within the Mercantour National Park on the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Les 12 lacets de Ceillac: a breathtaking road with 12 challenging hairpins
Located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, Les 12 lacets de Ceillac is a collection of 12 hairpin turns on the road to the small town of Ceillac.
Col du Jovet
Col du Jovet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.404m (7,887ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Vallon de la Gordolasque
Vallon de la Gordolasque is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.689m (5,541ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Hourquette d'Ancizan
Hourquette d'Ancizan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.564m (5,131ft) above the sea level, located in the French Pyrenees in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées.
Fort de Ronce
Fort de Ronce is a high mountain fortress at an elevation of 2.294m (7,526ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Col de Savel
Col de Savel is a mountain pass at an elevation of 972m (3,188ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
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 de la Pertie
Col de la Pertie is a mountain pass at an elevation of 972m (3,188ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.
Road D218
The Route Départementale D218 (RD218) is a very scenic road located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
Mont Tauch
The Mont Tauch is a mountain pass at an elevation of 871m (2,857ft) above the sea level, located in the Aude department in southern France.
Road to Col du Palet: Driving the 13.06% Service Track in Savoie
Reaching an elevation of 2,658m (8,720ft) above sea level, Col du Palet is a high mountain pass located in the Savoie department, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Situated in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, the route is one of the highest roads in the country.
Coll de Creu
Coll de Creu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.708m (5,603ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain.
Col de Casardo
Col de Casardo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.093m (3,585ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica.
A paved curvy road to Col de Castellaras
Col de Castellaras is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.248m (4,094ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Pas du Roc
Pas du Roc is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.339m (7,673ft) above the sea level, located on the Plateau des Glieres area in Haute-Savoie department of France.
Col de la Pousterle
Col de la Pousterle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.763m (5,784ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Travel guide to the top of Vallon de la Fournache
Vallon de la Fournache is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.703m (8,868ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Pas de l'Âne: Driving the brutal 17.4% ski track in the Massif des Cerces
Situated in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, Pas de l'Âne is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 2,475m (8,120ft) above sea level. Located within the rugged Massif des Cerces, this pass is not a conventional road but a grueling high-altitude track that serves as a vital service route for the ski infrastructure of the Serre Chevalier valley.