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.

Clue de Barles is a canyon with dramatic views located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France. It’s one of the most scenic French balcony roads.

Situated in Western Europe, France stands as the largest country in the European Union. Renowned for its diverse landscapes, France boasts an array of mountainous terrain, with the Alps and the Pyrenees emerging as its prominent mountain ranges. These majestic peaks are home to some of the highest roads in Europe, offering breathtaking vistas and challenging routes for adventurers and road enthusiasts alike.

Clue de Saint Auban is a spectacular gorge carved by the Esteron River in France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Gorges de la Nesque is a spectacular canyon located in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de Montgenèvre is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.854m (6,083ft) above sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Tunel Bielsa-Aragnouet is an international high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 1,820m (5,971ft) above sea level, located on the border of Spain and France.

Col de la Cayolle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.339m (7,673ft) above the sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col d'Izoard is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,367m (7,765ft) above sea level located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Located on the northeast of the island of Corsica, in France, Cap Corse Road is one of the best coastal drives in the world.

Mont Ventoux is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.912m (6,273ft) above the sea level, located in France.

Clue de Gréolières is a very scenic canyon located in the heart of the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads. Escape from the Cote d'Azur jet set by driving the scenic Route de Thorenc like James Bond did in Goldeneye.

Set high in the French Pyrenees, Route des Cols des Pyrénées is a very exciting journey through the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, crossing 34 remarkable mountain passes, with an elevation gain of 15.937 metres.

Col de Tende (Colle di Tenda) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,876m (6,154ft) above sea level, located on the border of France and Italy. If you like hairpin bends, this climb is a must. It's one of the most hairpinned roads in the world.

Route de la Bérarde is a legendary drive located in the heart of the Isère department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Stay safe. This road is passable but it can be impressive because it is winding and narrow. Crossings are difficult in some places. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de la Moutière is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.450m (8,038ft) above the sea level, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The road is extremely 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 your mind.

Col del Sommeiller is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.993m (9,819ft) above the sea level, located on the French-Italian border. It's one of the highest roads of Europe. This beautiful 26 kilometre climb above Bardonecchia has it all: hairpins, alpine dams, a lake at the summit, and views to die for.

Gorges de la Bourne is a very scenic canyon located on the boundary of Isère and Drôme departments in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It's one of the French balcony roads.

Pavé de la Croix Blanche is an iconic cobbled section located in the Nord department of Hauts-de-France region, in France.

Col de Rosael is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.993m (9,819ft) above the sea level, located in Orelle, a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col d'Aubisque is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.713m (5,620ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées departments, in the Aquitaine region of France.

Gorges du Loup is a stunning river canyon located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in France. It’s one of the famous French balcony roads.

Place Charles de Gaulle is a roundabout located in Paris, the capital of France. It’s famous for the 12 avenues radiating from the place, and thus indirectly for the giant traffic-jams they tend to create. It's one of the world's 10 best roundabouts.

Combe de la Fayolle is a very defiant ravine located in the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Avoid the drive if you don’t like heights. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de Méraillet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.612m (5,288ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Col du Tourmalet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.115m (6,939ft) above the sea level located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitan region of south-western France. It is one of the most famous climbs on the Tour de France race.

Col de Sarenne is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.004m (6,574ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department of the Rhône-Alpes region of France. It’s one of the most demanding roads of the country.

Gorges du Guil is the name of a canyon located in the Hautes-Alpes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Gorges de Daluis is a deep, narrow canyon on the upper Var river located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

Col de la Colombière is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.613m (5,292ft) above the sea level, located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. The pass is traversed by the scenic Route des Grandes Alpes.

Col de Larche-Colle della Maddalena is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.005m (6,578ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.

Col de la Lombarde-Colle della Lombarda is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.354m (7,723ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.

Col de Vergio is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.478m (4,849ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of the Haute-Corse and the Corse-du-Sud departments of France on the island of Corsica. It’s said to be Corsica's highest road pass. It’s one of the highest roads of Corsica.

Col du Pré is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.703m (5,587ft) above the sea level, located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Cime de la Bonette is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.806m (9,206ft) above the sea level, on the boundary of Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

D13 is a very challenging road located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of the Occitanie Region, in France. It’s one of the French balcony roads.

From Nice eastward toward Menton, in the south of France, in the beautiful Côte d'Azur, three roads known as Les Trois Corniches are carved into the mountainside running between the sea and mountains and offering dramatic coastal views. They are some of the world’s great drives.

Port de Pailhères is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.001m (6,565ft) above the sea level, located in the Ariège department, in the region of Occitanie, in France.

Col du Granon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.413m (7,916ft) above the sea level, located in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.

Located in the Isère department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in France, Tunnel du Mortier is an abandoned high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 1.370m (4,494ft) above the sea level.

Port d’Aulà is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.265m (7,431ft) above the sea level, located on the border of France and Spain.

Port de Balès is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.760m (5,774ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of the Hautes-Pyrénées and the Haute-Garonne departments, in the Occitanie region of France.

Located in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in France, Route des Crêtes is a very scenic drive and one of the steepest roads of the country, with parts up to 23%. The road is closed if there's too much wind - people could be blown off the 300 meter high cliffs.

Little St Bernard Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.188m (7,178ft) above the sea level, located at the Italian-French border. Keep reading to find out more about when and how you can take the drive, as well as some of the notable sights you’ll see. 

Col de la Charmette is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.284m (4,212ft) above the sea level, located in the Isère department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

Col de la Montée du Fond is a high mountain pass at 3.007m (9,865ft) above the sea level, located in Orelle, a commune in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.