France
45 scored roads in France, reranked for motorbikes rather than for cars, with the fit score shown next to each one.
Riders and drivers want different things from the same map. A single track lane that ruins a weekend in a wide car is often the best thing you will ride all year, and a fast open A road that flatters a grand tourer can be a dull hour on a bike.
Every country page below reranks the scored library for corner quality and scenery, drops the width penalty that applies to cars, and flags the seasonal gravel and noise restrictions that increasingly decide where bikes are welcome.
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 23 June 2026
Ranked
01 · 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 9.9 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
02 · Alpes-Maritimes, France
Legendary Monte Carlo Rally stage stitching together forested hairpins above the Roya valley.
10.6 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.7 / 10
03 · 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 9.7 / 10
Closed roughly November to May, Europe's highest paved through road
04 · 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 9.6 / 10
Closed roughly October to May with snow at the summit
05 · 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 9.6 / 10
Closed roughly October to June, highest paved pass in the Alps
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 9.5 / 10
Closed roughly October to May
07 · Var, France
Cliff hugging ledge road staring straight down into Europe's grandest limestone canyon.
14.9 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · Fit 9.5 / 10
08 · Isere, France
Twenty one numbered switchbacks, each hairpin named for a Tour de France stage winner.
8.6 mi · Rating 8.8 / 10 · Fit 9.4 / 10
Upper sections can ice in deep winter
09 · Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
A vertiginous loop skimming the canyon rim with balcony viewpoints at every bend.
14.3 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10 · Fit 9.3 / 10
Narrow one way loop, best avoided in high summer traffic
10 · Haute-Garonne, France
A classic Pyrenean crossing of open pasture and hairpins on the Route des Pyrenees.
11.2 mi · Rating 8.7 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10
Closed roughly December to April
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 9.2 / 10
Closed roughly October to June, one of the highest paved passes in Europe
12 · 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 9.2 / 10
13 · 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 9.2 / 10
Can be affected by winter snow at the summit
14 · Haute-Corse, Corsica, France
A narrow gorge road blasted into red granite walls, the gateway to Corsica's high interior.
15.5 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10
15 · 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 9.2 / 10
16 · 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 9.2 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
17 · Ardeche, France
A dramatic corniche skimming turquoise river bends beneath the Pont d'Arc natural arch.
19.9 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10
18 · 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 9.0 / 10
Can close in high mistral winds
19 · Hautes-Pyrenees, France
A dramatic balcony road along the Litor cliff face connecting straight into the Aubisque.
11.8 mi · Rating 9 / 10 · Fit 9.0 / 10
Closed roughly November to May
20 · Puy-de-Dome, France
Volcanic puys unroll beneath this switchbacked crossing of the Auvergne's Chaine des Puys.
13.7 mi · Rating 8.5 / 10 · Fit 8.9 / 10
Can close briefly after heavy winter snowfall
Before you go
Parts of Tyrol and several Swiss and Italian valleys restrict loud motorcycles or ban them on specific days. Fines are high and bikes are impounded.
A two thousand metre pass can be fifteen degrees colder than the valley you left forty minutes ago. Pack for the summit, not the start.
Filling stations are rare above the tree line. Fill in the valley before every pass rather than assuming there is something at the top.
Common questions
The Dolomite pass loop, the Col de Turini, the Furka Susten Grimsel triangle and the Transfagarasan all rank at the top for corner quality on two wheels.
Yes. Several Tyrolean valleys and some Swiss roads restrict motorcycles above set noise limits, and a few close to bikes on specific days. Check locally before you ride.