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 Farguet
Col du Farguet is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.084m (3,556ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes Maritimes department in southeastern France.
Road trip guide: Conquering Col du Vallon
Col du Vallon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.456m (8,057ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Col de Ste-Anne
Col de Ste-Anne is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.551m (5,088ft) above the sea level, located in the Mercantour National Park.
Col de Cloze
Col de Cloze is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.483m (8,146ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.
Col de Mens
Col de Mens is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.111m (3,645ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
Driving the curvy roads of Corsica
I spent 3 weeks on Corsica and I can say that the title of "Island of the Beauty" is simple correct. There is only 1 highway existing south of Bastia with a length of about 15 km.
Le Taoulet
Le Taoulet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.341m (7,680ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, in south-western France.
Sommet de l'Eychauda
Sommet de l'Eychauda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.639m (8,658ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Col du Laux
Col du Laux is a mountain pass at an elevation of 883m (2,896ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.
Col del Pam
Col del Pam is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.998m (6,555ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales and Cerdagne near the Spanish border in the south of France.
Colle di Perla
Colle di Perla is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.215m (7,267ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, on the border between France and Italy.
Auron
Auron is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.652m (5,419ft) above the sea level, located in the French alps in the Alpes-Maritimes department.
Fort du Mont
Fort du Mont is a military fortress at an elevation of 981m (3,218ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Avoriaz
Avoriaz is a ski station at an elevation of 1.814m (5,951ft) above the sea level, located in the territory of the commune of Morzine, in France.
Col de Fours
Col de Fours is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.318m (7,604ft) above the sea level, located in the extreme north of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in southeastern France, near the Italian border.
Col du Liorin
Col du Liorin is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.226m (4,022ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
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 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.
How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Bocca à Canaghia
Bocca à Canaghia is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.848m (6,062ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.
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.
Col de la Grande Forcle
Col de la Grande Forcle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.270m (7,447ft) above the sea level, located in the Graian Alps, in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Driving the paved road to Puerto de Larrau
Port de Larrau is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.615m (5,298ft) above the sea level, on the French-Spanish border in the western Pyrenees.
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.
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 du Merdassier
Col du Merdassier is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.500m (4,921ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department of the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
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.
Col de la Loge
Col de la Loge is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.002m (3,287ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.
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.
Aiguille Croche
Aiguille Croche is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.398m (7,867ft) above the sea level, located on the Savoie and Haute-Savoie border, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps. The climb will test your fear of heights.
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.
Basèra Pass
Pas de Basèra is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.040m (6,692ft) above the sea level, located on the French-Italian border between Liguria, Piemonte and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
M6202 is a Most Tricky Scenic Road on the French Riviera
Located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France, M6202 is the name of a very scenic road. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
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.
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 the sea level located on the eastern side of Réunion island in the Indian Ocean.
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.
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 de Porte
Col de Porte is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.060m (3,477ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France.
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 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 Pernante
Col de Pernante is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.898m (6,227ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps, on the border between France and Italy.
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.
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Gorges d'Aulan
Gorges d'Aulan is the name of a spectacular canyon carved into the limestone by the Toulourenc river in the Drôme department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Refuge de Moede Anterne
Refuge de Moëde Anterne is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.984m (6,509ft) above the sea level, located on the Fiz mountains, in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
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.
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.