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 Liorin

Col du Liorin: Driving the narrow paved climb in the Vercors Massif

Located in the heart of the Isère department in southeastern France, Col du Liorin is a mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,226m (4,022ft) above sea level. This pass is situated within the rugged and limestone-dominated landscape of the Vercors Massif, a region famous among drivers for its high-altitude plateaus and dramatic balcony roads.

Col d’Entre les Tetes

Col d’Entre les Tetes

Col d’Entre les Tetes is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.760m (9,055ft) above the sea level, located in Rhone-Alpes in the French Isère département.

Le Brévent

A memorable road trip to Le Brévent

Le Brévent is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.484m (8,149ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Fort du Mont

How to drive the curvy road to Fort du Mont in Albertville?

Fort du Mont is a military fortress at an elevation of 981m (3,218ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department, in France.

Col Gaudissart

Col Gaudissart

Col Gaudissart is a mountain pass at an elevation of 896m (2,939ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.

Col de Marocaz

Col de Marocaz

Col de Marocaz is a mountain pass at an elevation of 958m (3,143ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Crêt de l'Oeillon

Is the road to Crêt de l'Oeillon in the Pilat Massif paved?

Reaching the Crêt de l'Oeillon is a short but intense climb into the Pilat Massif, in the east of France's Massif Central. At 1,364m (4,475ft) above sea level, this peak in the Loire department is a dominant point for broadcasting and a challenging destination for drivers. The D63.1 road leads you to the very top, where the massive 80-meter TV antenna stands as a landmark visible from kilometers away.

Col des Verniers

Col des Verniers

Col des Verniers is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.042m (3,418ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Col de la Loge

Driving the narrow and steep Route du Col de la Loge

Col de la Loge is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,002 meters (3,287 ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Though it doesn't reach the extreme altitudes of the Alps, the Route du Col de la Loge is a high-fatigue climb defined by its narrow dimensions and a severely degraded surface. This route is a constant struggle for traction, where the physical reality of the road is shaped by its double identity as both a mountain pass and an active service road for heavy agricultural machinery.

Lac de Pramol

Lac de Pramol

Lac de Pramol is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.728m (5,969ft) above the sea level, located in the Maurienne Valley, in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The lake lies two kilometres beyond les Karellis ski resort.

Refuge de Moëde Anterne

Road to Refuge de Moëde Anterne: Driving the 8.85% Track in the Fiz Mountains

Located in the Fiz mountains of the Haute-Savoie department in south-eastern France, Refuge de Moëde Anterne is a high-altitude mountain hut at an elevation of 1,984m (6,509ft) above sea level. Situated within the Réserve Naturelle de Passy, the road to the refuge is a technical mountain track used primarily for logistics, supply transport, and mountain rescue operations.

Les Arcs 2000

Les Arcs 2000

Les Arcs 2000 is a ski station at an elevation of 2.120m (6,955ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Le Beoux pont

Le Beoux Bridge

Le Beoux pont is located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Route de Pierrefitte

Route de Pierrefitte

Route de Pierrefitte (D920) is a mountain road located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department and the region of Midi-Pyrénées in south-western France.

Col de Rioupes

Col de Rioupes

Col de Rioupes is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.430m (4,691ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.

Pas de Bellecombe

Road trip guide: Conquering the Pas de Bellecombe

Pas de Bellecombe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.361m (7,746ft) above sea level located on the eastern side of Réunion island in the Indian Ocean.

Col de la Biche

Col de la Biche

Col de la Biche, also known as Golet de la Biche, is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.310m (4,297ft) above the sea level, located in the Ain department in eastern France. The climbs is exceedingly steep with some sections up to 13.6%.

Col d'Albanne

Col d'Albanne

Col d'Albanne is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.652m (5,419ft) above the sea level, located in the Maurienne Valley, in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col de Font Belle

Col de Font Belle

Col de Font Belle is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.304m (4,278ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in the south of France.

Col de la Porte

Driving to Col de la Porte: A technical 18-hairpin climb in the Alpes-Maritimes

Located in the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Col de la Porte (also known as Cuolla de Liporte) is a mountain pass that reaches 1,060m (3,477ft) above sea level. This isn't a high-altitude peak by Alpine standards, but the D73 road is a masterclass in technical driving. Carved into the rugged terrain of southeastern France, it is a narrow, twisting ribbon of asphalt that demands constant gear work and precise steering through one of the most labyrinthine sectors of the region.

Palet

A wild unpaved road to Palet

Palet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.749m (9,019ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

Col de Saluces

The road to Col de Saluces is not for the faint of heart

Col de Saluces is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.445m (8,021ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Pla de la Calma-Mollera dels Clots

Pla de la Calma-Mollera dels Clots

Pla de la Calma-Mollera dels Clots is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.040m (6,692ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales and Cerdagne near the Spanish border in the south of France.

Pointe du Dzonfié

How to drive the long climb to Pointe du Dzonfié?

The climb to Pointe du Dzonfié is a long, technical ascent in the Savoie department of the French Alps. Reaching 2,185m (7,168ft) above sea level, this route is a mix of high-alpine paved roads and rough mountain tracks. Spanning 31 kilometers from the valley floor, it requires a vehicle with good ground clearance and a driver who knows how to manage brake heat and gear selection on narrow, unprotected ledge roads.

Col de Pierre Vesce

Col de Pierre Vesce

Col de Pierre Vesce is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.042m (3,418ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.

Fort de la Grande Maye

Fort de la Grande Maye

Fort de la Grande Maye is a high mountain fort at an elevation of 2.401m (7,877ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Col de Plantara

Col de Plantara

Col de Plantara is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.002m (3,287ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in the Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

Col Nord des Lacs

Col Nord des Lacs

Col Nord des Lacs is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.533m (8,310ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Tête de la Sallaz

How to drive the steep Chemin dit de Vormy to Tête de la Sallaz?

Tête de la Sallaz is a high mountain peak reaching an elevation of 1,992m (6,535ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. Part of the Aravis Range, the climb to the summit is one of the steepest in the area, following a rugged track known as Chemin dit de Vormy.

Lac Long Supérieur

Road to Lac Long Supérieur: Driving the 2,500m Restricted Track in the Mercantour

Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France, Lac Long Supérieur is a high-altitude glacial lake reaching an elevation of 2,500m (8,202ft) above sea level. Situated within the core zone of the Mercantour National Park, the track leading to the lake is a restricted mountain corridor used for park maintenance and mountain refuge logistics.

Col de la Ricelle

Travel guide to the top of Col de la Ricelle

Col de la Ricelle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.366m (7,762ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Lac d'Allos

How to get to Lac d'Allos, the largest natural high-altitude lake in Europe

Lac d'Allos is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,248 m (7,375 ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence of France.

Estany de la Coma d'en Garcia

Driving the steep Chemin Garcia to Estany de la Coma d'en Garcia

Estany de la Coma d'en Garcia is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,303m (7,555ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France. Tucked away in the high Pyrenees near Porté-Puymorens, this remote glacial pond offers a true alpine escape.

Ouvrage La Déa

La Déa Fortress: Driving the 15km Military Track in the Alpes-Maritimes

At an elevation of 1,753m (5,751ft) above sea level, La Déa Fortress (locally known as Petit Ouvrage de la Baisse de la Déa) is a military fortification in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France. Built in 1934 as part of the Alpine extension of the Maginot Line, the fortress is located in a high-altitude strategic position near the Italian border.

Les Fonds

How to get by car to Les Fonds in the Hautes-Alpes department?

Les Fonds is a remote high mountain town located at an elevation of 2,040m (6,692ft) above sea level. It sits in the Hautes-Alpes department, within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Tucked away east of the famous Col d’Izoard, this settlement is a hidden gem in the Cottian Alps.

Pas de Cherferie

Pas de Cherferie

Pas de Cherferie is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.142m (7,027ft) above the sea level located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Gorges de la Spelunca

Road trip guide: Conquering Gorges de la Spelunca

Gorges de la Spelunca is a very scenic canyon located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica. If you don't like winding roads this may be a problem.

D26 road

If you love to drive, you will love the pretty D26 road

D26 is the name of a curvy steep road located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica.

Pas des Escaliers

Pas des Escaliers

Pas des Escaliers is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.700m (5,577ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.

Col de la Lit

Col de la Lit

Col de la Lit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.664m (5,459ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.

Sommet de la Reynière

Sommet de la Reynière

Sommet de la Reynière is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.717m (5,633ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.

D76

Road D76

The D76 road is a very exciting journey in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. Located at the gateway to the National Mercantour Park, the road is asphalted but very narrow.

Col du Teil

Col du Teil

Col du Teil is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.628m (5,341ft) above the sea level, located in the Aude department of southern France.

Col des Gourses

Col des Gourses

Col des Gourses is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.565m (8,415ft) above the sea level, located in Rhone-Alpes in the French Isère département.

Station de Camurac

Station de Camurac

Station de Camurac is a ski station at an elevation of 1.630m (5,347ft) above the sea level, located in the Aude department of southern France.