France
Col de la Bonette usually opens early june and shuts late october. Those dates move with the snow every single year, so a late spring can hold the opening back by two or three weeks and an early autumn storm can close it without warning.
The pass road runs Jausiers to Saint-Etienne-de-Tinee in Alpes-Maritimes, France, 14.9 miles that take about 45 min if you drive it properly rather than chase it. We score it 9.6 out of 10 for driving and 9.8 out of 10 for scenery.
The highest through road in France, with a summit loop above the col itself.
Summit
2802 m
Typically opens
Early June
Typically closes
Late October
Country
France
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. Opening dates reflect the long term pattern of the pass, not a single season. Always check on the day. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 16 May 2026
The drive
A looping summit road above 2800 metres that circles the peak itself for maximum theatre.
Hotels
Tracing the road between your start and finish
0%About 20 seconds left
Nearby
3.7 mi away
A quiet pastoral pass with a gorge finale through the narrow Gorges du Bachelard.
16.8 mi away
A gentler Alpine link road with sweeping meadows between two harder edged giants.
26.1 mi away
One of the Alps' highest paved passes, remote and narrow near the French border.
26.7 mi away
Sweeping historic highway tracing Napoleon's 1815 march through lavender country and pine ridges.
27.3 mi away
Remote high altitude pass to the Italian frontier with tight ribbons and stark empty scenery.
Common questions
Col de la Bonette typically opens early june and closes late october. Treat that as a planning window rather than a promise, because the snow decides the date.
The summit sits at 2802 metres in France.
About 45 min for the 14.9 miles between Jausiers and Saint-Etienne-de-Tinee, without stops. Allow twice that if you want photographs and a coffee at the top.
We rate it 9.6 out of 10 for driving and 9.8 out of 10 for scenery, which puts it among the roads worth building a trip around.