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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

Gorges de Trente-Pas is a spectacular canyon carved into the limestone by Ruisseau de Trente-Pas river in the Drôme department in southeastern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

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.

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 is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.450m (4,757ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col de Menté is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.347m (4,419ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France.

Refugi de Marialles is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.718m (5,636ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France.

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.

Corniche de l’Esterel is a classic coastal route located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.421m above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gorges de la Ruda is a very scenic canyon located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Col du Palet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.658m (8,720ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Route Départementale D218 (RD218) is a very scenic road located in the Isère department in southeastern France.