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 Trabesses
Col des Trabesses is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.916m (6,286ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department of the French Pyrenees.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Gorges du Terme Inférieur, a stunning balcony road
Gorges du Terme Inférieur is the name of a very challenging canyon located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of the region of Occitanie, in Southern France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
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.
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%.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.