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 Lachau

How to drive the D76 road to Col de Lachau in the Vercors?

Col de Lachau is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,332m (4,370ft) above sea level, located in the Drôme department of southeastern France. Situated within the Vercors Natural Regional Park, the pass is a critical logistical link on the D76 road, serving as the technical gateway to some of the most challenging cliff-edge sectors in the French Prealps.

Piau-Engaly

Piau-Engaly

Piau-Engaly is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.870m (6,135ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in southwestern France.

Pas de Colle Longue

Driving the military track to Collalunga Pass in the Alps

Passo di Collalunga (also known as Pas de Colle Longue) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,441m (8,008ft) above sea level, situated on the border between France (Alpes-Maritimes) and Italy (Piedmont). This former military route is one of the most scenic and technical tracks in the Maritime Alps.

Collada del Vent

How to drive the unpaved road to Collada del Vent?

Collada del Vent is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.301m (7,549ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in France.

Artzamendi

The brutal climb to Artzamendi, the mountain of hell in the Basque Country

Mont Artzamendi is a mountain peak at an elevation of 916m (3,005ft) above sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France.

Boismint lift

Boismint lift

Boismint lift is a high mountain lift at an elevation of 2.671m (8,763ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Puy de Dome

Puy de Dome is an iconic Tour de France climb

Puy de Dôme, with its magnificent stature and awe-inspiring beauty, stands as an iconic climb in the legendary Tour de France. This dome-shaped volcanic plug rises proudly to an impressive elevation of 1,450 meters (4,757 feet) above sea level, gracing the picturesque landscape of the Puy-de-Dôme department in the enchanting region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes of France.

Collet des Michels

Collet des Michels

Collet des Michels is a mountain pass at an elevation of 920m (3,018ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Le Gros Villan

Driving one of the steepest tracks in the world to Le Gros Villan

Le Gros Villan is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.522m (8,274ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department in France.

Lac des Estaris

Lac des Estaris

Lac des Estaris is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.578m (8,458ft) above the sea level, located  in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Moucherotte

How to drive the unpaved road to Le Moucherotte?

Le Moucherotte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.863m (6,112ft) above sea level, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France.

Lac d'Aubert

Lac d'Aubert

Lac d'Aubert is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.163m (7,096ft) above sea level, located in Hautes-Pyrénées, a department in southwestern France. It is part of the Midi-Pyrénées region.

Couillade de Llerbès

The breathtaking road to Couillade de Llerbès

Couillade de Llerbès is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.299m (7,542ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in the Occitanie region of south-western France.

Clue de Rouaine

Clue de Rouaine

Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France, the Clue de Rouaine is a very picturesque drive on an unrivalled location in the midst of grandiose scenery.

Cime des Orres

A brutally steep (17.67%) service road to Cime des Orres in the Hautes-Alpes

Cime des Orres is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,655m (8,710ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Road D954

Road D954

D954 is a very scenic drive in the heart of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. This road overlooks the blue Lac de Serre-Ponçon lake from above, and has some beautiful views.

Pic de Montferrat

How to drive the unpaved road to Pic de Montferrat in the Hautes-Pyrénées

Pic de Montferrat is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.497m (8,192ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in France.

Col du Fouet

Col du Fouet

Col du Fouet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.435m (7,988ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Pas de Saint-Anne

Pas de Saint-Anne

Pas de Saint-Anne is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.301m (7,549ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps, on the French-Italian border.

Bocca di Vizzavona

Bocca di Vizzavona: A Strategic Pass in the Heart of Corsica

Bocca di Vizzavona (also known as Col de Vizzavona) is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,163m (3,815ft) above sea level, located on the island of Corsica, France. Coordinates: 42.1121, 9.1158. The pass serves as the primary transport link between Ajaccio and Bastia.

Pas de l’Escous

Road trip guide: 26 hairpin turns to Pas de l’Escous

Pas de l’Escous is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.012m (3,320ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in France.

Mont Mirantin

How to drive the unpaved road to Mont Mirantin in Savoie?

Mont Mirantin is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.058m (6,751ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of France.

Romantic trip in France: The best honeymoon on the road

Romantic trip in France: The best honeymoon on the road

Are you recently married and planning the perfect honeymoon? France should be your top pick if you're looking for a unique romantic getaway! With its stunning natural beauty, delicious cuisine, vibrant culture and luxurious accommodations, there's no better place to have a romantic trip of a lifetime with your loved one.

Col de la Cucumelle

Col de la Cucumelle

Col de la Cucumelle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.511m (8,238ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Fort Pepin

Fort Pepin

Fort Pepin is a military fortress at an elevation of 2.278m (7,473ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, near the Italian border.

Mines de Bentaillou

Guide to the Mines de Bentaillou

Anciennes mines du Bentaillou is a zinc and silver-bearing abandoned mine at an elevation of 1.875m (6,151ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in southwestern France, near the Spanish border.

Cheval Noir

How to drive the unpaved road to Cheval Noir in Savoie?

Cheval Noir is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.166m (7,106ft) above sea level, located in Savoie department, in France.

RN5 Tunnels

RN5 Tunnels: Driving the Narrow Peter Both and Gueule Rouge Tunnels in Réunion

The Route Nationale 5 (RN5) connects Saint-Louis and Cilaos on the French island of Réunion, in the Indian Ocean. This asphalted mountain road features two narrow single-lane rock tunnels carved into the volcanic cliffs, where two cars cannot pass each other at the same time.

Col de Mea

Col de Mea

Col de Mea is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.486m (8,156ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

La Norma

Driving the steep 13% track to the summit of La Norma

La Norma is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,584m (8,477ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department in France.

Defile du Lancone

Driving the challenging Defile du Lancone in Corsica

Défilé du Lancone is a scenic gorge located on the island of Corsica, in France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de Frejus

Col de Frejus

Col de Frejus is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.474m (8,116ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Col des Saulces

How to drive the unpaved road to Col des Saulces?

Col des Saulces is an unpaved mountain pass at an elevation of 2,456 meters (8,057 ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Running through the Vanoise National Park near the Courchevel ski resort, the dirt track serves as a high-altitude service route between alpine pastures.

Madone d'Utelle

If you love to drive, you’ll love the road to Madone d'Utelle

Madone d'Utelle is a high mountain sanctuary at an elevation of 1.177m (3,861ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Sétaz des Près

Setaz des Pres

Sétaz des Près is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.314m (7,591ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col de Terre Nère

Col de Terre Nère

Col de Terre Nère is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.270m (7,447ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain.

Pas de l'Escalier

Pas de l'Escalier

Pas de l'Escalier is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.907m (6,256ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department in the Occitanie region of south-western France.

Col du Fornet

Col du Fornet: Driving the steep 9.3% ski track on the French-Swiss border

Reaching an elevation of 2,245m (7,365ft) above sea level, Col du Fornet is an international high mountain pass situated directly on the border between France and Switzerland. Perched atop the rugged ski slopes above Avoriaz, this pass serves as a strategic mountain link between the two countries, though it remains one of the most technical and raw tracks in the Chablais Alps.

Col de Barteaux

Col de Barteaux

Col de Barteaux is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.384m (7,821ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Station de Ski Ghisoni

Station de Ski Ghisoni

Located at the foot of the Monte Renosu, in the Haute-Corse department of France on the island of Corsica, the Ghisoni ski resort sits at an elevation of 1.672m (5,485ft) above the sea level.

Mont Rond

Mont Rond: The steep service road from Col de la Faucille

Mont Rond is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,540 meters (5,052 ft) above sea level, located in the Jura Mountains within the Ain department of France. 

Road D84

D84, a vertigo paved road in France

D84 is a short narrow mountain road located in the department of Aude, region Languedoc-Roussillon, in southern France. The road is not easy. Not recommended to newbies.

Bocca di Chiralba

The wild road to Bocca di Chiralba in Corsica

Bocca di Chiralba is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.749m (5,738ft) above the sea level, located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.

Bigorno Pass

How to drive the paved Bigorno Pass in Corsica?

Col de Bigorno is a mountain pass at an elevation of 888m (2,913ft) above sea level, located on the island of Corsica, in France.

Col de Peyrefitte

Is the road to Col de Peyrefitte in the Pyrenees paved?

Col de Peyrefitte, also known as Port de Pierrefite, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,859m (6,099ft) above sea level on the border between the Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées departments. This remote crossing in southwestern France is a journey through a road in transition; what was once a fully paved route is now a mix of decaying asphalt and rough gravel, reflecting years of exposure to the harsh Pyrenean climate and minimal maintenance.