Roads of 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.

Col du Bouchet is a high mountain peak at 3.004m (9,855ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col du Portillon/Coll de Portilló is an international  high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.293m (4,242ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees, a mountain range on the border between France and Spain.

Located in the Ariège department in southwestern France, the Grotte du Mas d'Azil is a 500 metre long tunnel dug by the Arize River in the Ariege Pyrenees. It is the only cave in Europe that can be crossed by car.

Col de Mantet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.760m (5,774ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. The road is incredibly narrow with a steep unprotected drop to one side throughout. It's also regularly covered in snow making it even more trecherous.

Lac des Bouillouses (also called Llac de la Bollosa) is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.016m (6,614ft) above the sea level, located in Pyrénées-Orientales, in France.

Crête de la Pendine is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.705m (8,874ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Col du Petit Mont Cenis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.184m (7,166ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col de la Faucille is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,323m (4,341ft) above the sea level, located in the department of Ain in the French Jura.

Col de Mallemort is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.543m (8,343ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, in the southwestern part of the Alps, in France. The road to the summit is extreme. It’s terrible narrow and the drop offs are a bit intimidating. There’s only enough room for one car to go up. There is no turning around if you change you mind.

Coll d'Ares is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.513m (4,964ft) above the sea level, located in the Pyrenees on the border between France and Spain.

Col dés Ves is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.793m (9,163ft) 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.

Route de l'Authion, also known as D68, is a very scenic drive in the Mercantour National Park, Alpes-Maritimes, in France. Along the road there are several forts and military ruins.

Col de Lagues is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.408m (4,619ft) above the sea level located in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France.

Col de l’Herpie is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.970m (9,744ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col de Pause is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.542m (5,059ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department of the region of Occitanie, in France.

Col de Scalella is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.193m (3,914ft) above the sea level, located in the Corse-du-Sud department of France on the island of Corsica. The pass is traversed by the D27 road.

Col de la Met is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.750m (9,022ft) above the sea level located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

The Ancien Fort de La Turra is an abandoned high mountain fort at an elevation of 2.493m (8,179ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Col d’Artzatey is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 662m (2,171ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish-French border, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

D29 is a short mountain road located in the Aude department in southern France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Pas de la Graille is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.597m (5,239ft) above the sea level located in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in France.

Col de la Luzette is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.350m (4,429ft) above the sea level, located in the Gard department in southern France.

Col de Spandelles is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.378m (4,520ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées, in southwestern France, part of the Midi-Pyrénées region.

Faux Col de Restefond is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.656m (8,713ft) above the sea level, located located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, in southeastern France. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Cirque de Gavarnie is a large rock amphitheater, at an elevation of 1.690m (5,544ft) above the sea level, located within the commune of Gavarnie, in the Pyrenees National Park, on the border of France and Spain. The road is totally closed to vehicles.

Signal de Bisanne 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. This pass is one of two climbs in France classified by the ASO as "Epic" which is like an HHC.

Col de la Pierre Saint-Martin, or Piedra de San Martín, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.760m (5,774ft) above the sea level, located on the France-Spain border in the western Pyrenees in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques (France) and Navarra (Spain).

Located within the Mercantour National Park, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France, L’Ubayette Bridge is a short wooden bridge. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

D29 is a short mountain road with a length of 14.3km located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. The road links the villages of Guillaumes and Valberg

Col de Moulata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.685m (5,528ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitanie region of France.

Tunnel du Galibier is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 2.576m (8,451ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Savoie and Hautes-Alpes departments, in south-eastern France. Before 1976, the tunnel was the only point of passage at the top. The tunnel was closed for restoration until 2002, and a new road was constructed over the summit.

Col de Chérine is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.295m (7,529ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Col du Coq is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.434m (4,704ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France. The pass is traversed by the D30E road and presents some similarities to the Alpe d'Huez. It also has 21 hairpin turns.

Gorges de la Jonte is a canyon formed by the Jonte River, located in the border between the Lozère and the Aveyron counties, in southern France. The road through the gorges is the challenging D996 road.

Pic Blanc is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.067m (10,062ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col de la Chambre is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.879m (9,445ft) 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.

Col de la Chambotte is a mountain pass at an elevation of 650m (2,132ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Lac d'Aumar (also known as Lac d'Aumer) is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.192m (7,191ft) above the sea level, located in Hautes-Pyrénées, a department in southwestern France. It is part of the Midi-Pyrénées region.

Col du Raspaillon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.525m (8,284ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments in southeastern France.

Col du Soulor is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.474m (4,835ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in southwestern France.

L'Aiguille Percée is a rock formation at an elevation of 2.732m (8,963ft) above the sea level, located in the French Alps, in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col de Bassachaux is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.778m (5,833ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Porteis du Soleil, in Haute-Savoie, a department in the Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France.

Col de Cluy is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.813m (5,948ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department in southeastern France.

Clot de l’Alpe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.361m (7,746ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.

Gorges de Rebenty is a very scenic canyon located in the department of Aude, region Languedoc-Roussillon, in southern France. The drive is very lovely but can also be very challenging if you are driving. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.