France
45 scored roads in France, reranked for motorhomes and campervans rather than for cars, with the fit score shown next to each one.
A motorhome is limited by width, height and turning circle rather than by power. Most graded alpine passes are built for coaches and are perfectly manageable, while a handful of famous roads are genuinely unsuitable and finding that out halfway up is expensive.
These country pages push single track, unclassified and very steep roads down the ranking and lift wide, well graded routes. Always check the posted restrictions against your real dimensions before you commit to a pass.
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Checked against current closure and restriction notices for France. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 26 April 2026
Ranked
01 · Alpes-Maritimes, France
A looping summit road above 2800 metres that circles the peak itself for maximum theatre.
14.9 mi · Rating 9.7 / 10 · Fit 10.5 / 10
Closed roughly November to May, Europe's highest paved through road
02 · Var, France
Cliff hugging ledge road staring straight down into Europe's grandest limestone canyon.
14.9 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · Fit 10.4 / 10
03 · Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, France
The spine of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a relentless climb to one of driving's holiest summits.
11.2 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · Fit 10.4 / 10
Closed roughly October to May with snow at the summit
04 · Savoie, France
The roof of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a stark granite amphitheatre above 2700 metres.
9.9 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · Fit 10.4 / 10
Closed roughly October to June, highest paved pass in the Alps
05 · Hautes-Alpes, France
Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.
20.5 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10 · Fit 10.3 / 10
Closed roughly November to April
06 · Hautes-Pyrenees, France
The highest paved pass in the Pyrenees and the Tour de France's most storied climb.
11.8 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10 · Fit 10.3 / 10
Closed roughly October to May
07 · Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France
Cliff cut hairpins and cirque views link two valleys via the dramatic Litor shelf.
18.6 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10 · Fit 10.2 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
08 · Alpes-Maritimes, France, above Monaco
Napoleon's high road above Monaco, immortalised on film, staring down onto the principality.
9.9 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 10.2 / 10
09 · Corse-du-Sud, Corsica, France
Needle like granite spires tower over this pass linking Corsica's interior to the east coast.
23.6 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 10.2 / 10
Can be affected by winter snow at the summit
10 · Lozere, France
A river hugging road beneath towering limestone cliffs, one of the Massif Central's great drives.
32.3 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 10.1 / 10
11 · Hautes-Alpes, France
Remote high altitude pass to the Italian frontier with tight ribbons and stark empty scenery.
13.7 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 10.1 / 10
Closed roughly October to June, one of the highest paved passes in Europe
12 · Savoie and Isere, France
Turquoise lakes and jagged aiguilles frame this classic crossing of the Grandes Alpes.
18.6 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10 · Fit 10.0 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
13 · Ardeche, France
A dramatic corniche skimming turquoise river bends beneath the Pont d'Arc natural arch.
19.9 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10 · Fit 10.0 / 10
14 · Bouches-du-Rhone, France
A clifftop road above Europe's highest maritime cliff with the Mediterranean glittering below.
9.3 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 10.0 / 10
Can close in high mistral winds
15 · Hautes-Pyrenees, France
A dramatic balcony road along the Litor cliff face connecting straight into the Aubisque.
11.8 mi · Rating 9 / 10 · Fit 9.8 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
16 · Alpes-Maritimes, France
Legendary Monte Carlo Rally stage stitching together forested hairpins above the Roya valley.
10.6 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.8 / 10
17 · Hautes-Alpes, France
A broad glacier flanked highway linking the Romanche and Guisane valleys beneath the Meije massif.
23.6 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · Fit 9.8 / 10
Occasional winter closures in heavy snow
18 · Alpes-Maritimes, France, above Monaco
The middle ribbon of the three Riviera corniches, threading Eze's clifftop village.
9.9 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · Fit 9.8 / 10
19 · Var, France
Red volcanic rock plunges into azure sea along this coastal corniche below the Esterel massif.
15.5 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · Fit 9.7 / 10
20 · Savoie, France
A punishing Tour de France staple threading pine forest to a panorama of the Vanoise peaks.
12 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · Fit 9.7 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
Before you go
Measure height including the aerial, roof box and satellite dish. The number on the paperwork is often not the number that hits the bridge.
A heavy vehicle on a long alpine descent will fade brakes quickly. Pick a gear that holds the speed without the pedal and stay in it.
Wild camping rules vary enormously across Europe and enforcement has tightened. A booked pitch removes the whole problem.
Common questions
Most major passes are built for coaches and are fine for a standard motorhome. The exceptions are narrow unclassified roads and a handful of passes with posted width restrictions.
Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass and the Bealach na Ba are all explicitly unsuitable. Many Highland single track roads are legal but very hard work in a wide vehicle.