Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

Three days · France

Three days driving in France

Route Napoleon, the Vercors balconies, the Verdon rim and the highest paved pass in Europe.

Two nights lets you push properly out of the home range. Plan a longer run on day one, the best driving in the middle and an easy return.

Days

3 days, 2 nights

Rough distance

559.2 mi

Daily average

186.4 mi

Best months

May to October

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. Daily distances are set for enjoyable driving rather than maximum ground covered. How we score roads.

Last reviewed 12 March 2026

Day by day

How the trip breaks up

Day 1

Col de la Bonette and Col du Galibier

  • Col de la Bonette · 14.9 mi · 9.7 / 10. A looping summit road above 2800 metres that circles the peak itself for maximum theatre.
  • Col du Galibier · 11.2 mi · 9.6 / 10. The spine of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a relentless climb to one of driving's holiest summits.

About 186.4 mi and 5 hr behind the wheel including transit.

Day 2

Gorges du Verdon, Corniche Sublime and Col de l'Iseran

  • Gorges du Verdon, Corniche Sublime · 14.9 mi · 9.6 / 10. Cliff hugging ledge road staring straight down into Europe's grandest limestone canyon.
  • Col de l'Iseran · 9.9 mi · 9.6 / 10. The roof of the Route des Grandes Alpes, a stark granite amphitheatre above 2700 metres.

About 186.4 mi and 4 hr 58 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 3

Calanques de Piana and Col d'Izoard

  • Calanques de Piana · 7.5 mi · 9.6 / 10. Impossibly narrow ledge road through blood red granite pinnacles above the Gulf of Porto.
  • Col d'Izoard · 20.5 mi · 9.5 / 10. Hairpins through larch forest give way to the lunar Casse Deserte, a surreal high altitude finale.

About 186.4 mi and 5 hr 4 min behind the wheel including transit.

Practical

Where to start and what it costs

Base yourself

Nice, Grenoble or Strasbourg

Nights to book

2 nights. On anything longer than five days, book two nights in the best base rather than moving hotel every evening.

Fuel and tolls

Budget for roughly 559.2 miles of driving plus any vignettes or tunnel fees for the countries you cross.

Other lengths

More time, or less, in France