What are the most spectacular roads in France?
Set against the backdrop of Western Europe, France boasts an intricate tapestry of roads that offer some of the most breathtaking drives globally.
Enthusiasts can traverse the famed balcony roads, which cling perilously to cliff faces, ascend the serpentine bends of Col du Chaussy, navigate through the historical Tunnel de Parpaillon, or challenge themselves on the towering peaks of Col de l'Iseran, Col du Jandri, and Col du Télégraphe. From the undulating vineyards and sunlit fields to majestic mountains and turquoise coastlines, France's diverse topography is a treasure trove for those keen on picturesque journeys. The iconic Route Napoleon meanders through the heart of the country, while the shimmering Corniche d'Or offers unparalleled views of the Mediterranean's azure embrace.
But France's roads are more than just pathways carved into its stunning landscapes. They are gateways to its rich tapestry of history, culture, and traditions, from medieval towns and alpine villages to sun-soaked Mediterranean beaches. So, the next time wanderlust calls you to the charm of France, rev up your engine and set forth on an adventure across its most captivating routes.
Travel guide to the top of Col des Glieres
Col des Glières is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,440m (4,724ft) above sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in France. There is a 2 km gravel stretch.
How to get by car to Lac de la Sassiere in the Tarentaise Valley?
Lac de la Sassière is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.462m (8,077ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in France.
Crossing the beautiful Pont de Normandie
Pont de Normandie is a very beautiful and modern cable-stayed road bridge located in northern France. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Alpe d'Huez is a mythical climb with 21 hairpin turns
Alpe d’Huez is a cycling legend. It’s the most famous mountain climb in the Tour de France. Located in the southeastern part of the country, in the Isère département of the Rhône-Alpes region, the ski resort sits at an elevation of 1.860m (6,100ft) above the sea level.
The breathtaking road to Col de Salese in the Maritime Alps
Col de Salèse is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,036m (6,679ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.
A curvy scenic road to Col de la Couillole
Col de la Couillole is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.678m (5,495ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The road through the summit is the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.
How to Get to Pre de Madame Carle by Car?
Pré de Madame Carle is a natural site at an elevation of 1,879m (6,164ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.
The legendary Col de la Madeleine is one of the greatest cycling climbs
Col de la Madeleine is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,998m (6,555ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. It’s one of the emblematic French Alps mountain passes.
Pas de Peyrol is the highest road pass in the Massif Central
Pas de Peyrol is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,589m (5,213ft) above sea level, located in the Cantal department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.
D43 is a scenic balcony road in France
Located in the Lot department of the Occitania region of France, driving on the D43 road is a thrilling experience. It's one of the famous balcony roads of France.
A gravel road to Col de Cibieres in the Alps
Col de Cibières is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,525m (8,284ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.
A great road to Cormet de Roselend in the Alps
Cormet de Roselend is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,991m (6,532ft) above sea level, located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.
Col de l’Hysope: a fabulous narrow road to the top
Col de l’Hysope is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,236m (4,055ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.
Gorges du Guiers Vif is a balcony road in France
Gorges du Guiers Vif is a highly picturesque canyon situated on the boundary between the Isère and Savoie departments, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It is one of the famous French balcony roads.
A bumpy scenic road to Lac de Roterel in the Alps
Lac de Roterel is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1,941m (6,368ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.
Driving the D22, a balcony road in France
Perched high above the glistening coastline of the Côte d'Azur in southeast France, the D22 road is the name of the sharply winding and precipitous ascent in a steep and narrow zig-zag road on the French Riviera.
Gorges de la Méouge, a balcony road in France
Gorges de la Méouge is an incredible canyon located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. The gorge is 7-kilometre (4.3 mi) long carved by the Méouge which has its source in the Drôme. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.
Col du Glandon: one of the toughest climbs in the French Alps
Col du Glandon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.930m (6,332ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It’s one of the toughest climbs in the French Alps.
Bellecote is one of the highest roads of Europe
Bellecote is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.071m (10,075ft) 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 Europe.
Gorges de la Blanche, a balcony road in France
Gorges de la Blanche is an amazing gorge located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. It’s one of the scenic French balcony roads.
A wild paved road to the top of Col du Négron
Col du Négron is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.242m (4,074ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.
Gorges de Chouvigny, a balcony road in France
Gorges de Chouvigny is an incredible canyon located in the Allier department in central France. The gorge is carved by the La Sioule river. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.
Col de l’Holme, a sensational drive
Col de l’Holme is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.207m (3,959ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.
Col de Vé Gautier: good road quality and pleasant grading
Col de Vé Gautier is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.099m (3,605ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of south-eastern France.
Col des Aravis, a road with very nice scenery
Col des Aravis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.487m (4,879ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.
The scenic road to Col d’Olivier
Col d’Olivier is a mountain pass at an elevation of 711m (2,332ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
The road to Lac de Céma, a drive you'll never forget
Lac de Céma is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.745m (9,005ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Savoie in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps, near the Italian border. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Col de Bavella is one of the most scenic roads of Corsica
Col de Bavella is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.226m (4,022ft) 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.
An awe-inspiring road to Col du Cap Nestès in the Pyrénées
Col du Cap Nestès is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.683m (5,521ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.
Superbagnères, the road continually snakes its way up ahead
Superbagnères is a ski station at an elevation of 1.804m (5,918ft) above the sea level, located deep in the heart of the Pyrenees, in France.
Pointe du Bouchet, a brutal climb
Pointe du Bouchet is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.229m (10,593ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Cirque de Troumouse: a road with 31 hairpin turns
Cirque de Troumouse is a high alpine cirque located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.
Col de la Chaudière: a hairpinned paved road to the summit
Col de la Chaudière is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.047m (3,435ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France
Belvédère du Viso, an awe-inspiring drive in the Cottian Alps
Belvedere du Cirque du Mont-Viso is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2.147m (7,043ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, near the Italian border.
Mont du Chat, one of the toughest (paved) climbs in France
Mont du Chat (Cat Mountain) is a brutal mountain pass at an elevation of 1.504m (4,934ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It’s said to be one of the toughest (paved) climbs in France, with a 15% gradient in parts.
Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney, a paved road in the heart of the Écrins Park
Chalet Hôtel du Gioberney is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.649m (5,410ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France, within the Cirque du Vaccivier.
An Explorer's Guide to the Col de la Bailletta
Col de la Bailletta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.852m (9,356ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department (Rhône-Alpes region) in southeastern France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
A steep road (8.20%) to Lac de Plan d’Aval
Lac de Plan d’Aval is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.041m (6,696ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
Vallon du Mélézet is an epic road in the Alps
Vallon du Mélézet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.821m (5,974ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.
Col du Grand Colombier, an iconic road in the western Alps
Col du Grand Colombier is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.501m (4,925ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Ain in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France. The road is very steep, with sections up to 19%.
Col de Restefond is an epic road in the Alps
Col de Restefond is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.680m (8,790ft) above the sea level, located in the French Alps, within the Mercantour National Park in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The pass is located close to Cime de la Bonette.
Clue de la Roche Percee is a French balcony road
Clue de la Roche Percée is a narrow canyon located in Southeastern France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads. Driving on this narrow road through the canyon, between walls of cliffs and gorges, is a delight.
Col de l’Echarasson, a classic road trip in southeastern France
Col de l’Echarasson is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.146m (3,759ft) above the sea level, located in the Drôme department in southeastern France.
Gorges du Bachelard, a French balcony road
Located on the road to Col de la Cayolle, in the heart of Mercantour National Park, in the Maritime Alps, France, Gorges du Bachelard is a narrow, rocky canyon crammed with waterfalls, stone bridges, and soaring cliffs.
Col de la Savolière, a curvy paved mountain road to the summit
Col de la Savolière is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.421m (4,662ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.