Welcome to France’s greatest roads! We’re going to show you the top 10 motorbike roads in France today to help you decide where to do road excursions and to give you some must-see routes.
The Route to Crête
The Route to Crête is the first route we take. You may find this incredible road around 60 kilometers west of Colmar. It transports you on a 19-kilometer trip along a valley sculpted by glaciers, passing through pine trees and an unending series of lakes of varying sizes. You may enjoy some really expansive views of the Hohneck hills and the Munster Valley here..
Col de la Bonette
The Col de la Bonette comes next. This route is beautiful, it is the highest mountain road in Europe, located in the Alpes de Haute Provence area. It takes 45 kilometers to reach this altitude of about 2700 meters above sea level at the top of the pass. The road gets harder as you get higher, and going down the opposite side of the mountain will feel like you’re on a racetrack, with a stunning descent into the valley as a bonus.
D918 Col du Tourmalet
The Pyrenees’ D918 Col du Tourmalet is a famed motorcycle destination. This ascent consists of lengthy ramps that are broken up by a few curves for around 22 kilometers. Since it has been a part of the Tour de France since 1910, no other climb has been as strongly linked to the competition.
The D902 Col d’Izoard
There is a wonderful road called D902 Col d’Izoard in the departments of Hautes Alpes and Alpes de Haut Provence. It begins at 2,361 meters above sea level and travels 27 kilometers via the Queyras, Guil and Embrun valleys. Bikers will find it a difficult ride with steep hills that require using appropriate gears as well as many cyclists on its slopes. This road should be included in your trip because it lies in a beautiful region of the French Alps.
Col de la Cayolle
The well known location known as Col de la Cayolle is located in the Alpes de Haute Provence area. It’s just around 23 kilometers long and it could be among the most picturesque mountain roads in France. However, since the Col de la Cayolle reaches an altitude of 2360 m, do check if it’s open before crossing as it often remains inaccessible until late summer. The road meanders endlessly close to the Parc National du Mercantour entrance.
D978 and E678 Parc des Volcans
In the Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise region, there are a lot of small roads that twist and turn everywhere. The D978 and E678 aforementioned routes go through the Chaîne des Puys which is a massive line of volcanoes you’ll never want to get lost on since it stands at 39 kilometers long. One takes almost an eternity to traverse this amazing pathway with up to one hundred peaks in total as it extends all around the heartland of Massif Central.
D902 Col de l’Iseran
Regarded as the “Alps number one ruler”, the D902 Col de l’Iseran might represent the best ride for many bikers. At 2,764 meters above sea level, it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. For a distance of 26 km it joins together the Isère and Arc River valleys located in Savoie department near the border with Italy.
Col du Galibier and Col du Télégraphe
Don’t forget to go this route if you’re close to Saint Michel de Maurienne. The location offers stunning panoramic views along its 44 kilometer route which features several hairpin curves with excellent road smoothness. With its flawless terrain, high heights, head-turning turns, and breathtaking panoramic vistas, it’s definitely a must-ride.
D76 Combe Laval
One of France’s most breathtaking highways is along this route. Among its sort, the Combe Laval is among the most remarkable. The route round the mountain for sixteen kilometers, passing through tunnels and along precipices. There’s a 300-meter drop here, so make sure not to miss a turn.
D986 and D63 Meyrueis
Situated in the Cévennes and Causses regions of southern France, the magnificent Causse Méjean is a beautifully paved limestone plateau. Being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is well worth a visit even if it is only nine kilometers through the Meyrueis region. Take a coffee break at the picturesque village of Meyrueis, which is situated at the meeting point of the Brèze, Béthuzon, and Jonte rivers and is dominated by minor rivers.
