Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

Seven days · France

Seven days driving in France

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

A week is enough to link two regions or to loop one properly with two nights in the best base. Keep at least one rest day in the plan.

Days

7 days, 6 nights

Rough distance

1391.9 mi

Daily average

198.8 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 3 May 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 198.8 mi and 5 hr 17 min 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 198.8 mi and 5 hr 15 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 198.8 mi and 5 hr 21 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 4

Col du Tourmalet and Route des Cretes, Verdon

  • Col du Tourmalet · 11.8 mi · 9.5 / 10. The highest paved pass in the Pyrenees and the Tour de France's most storied climb.
  • Route des Cretes, Verdon · 14.3 mi · 9.4 / 10. A vertiginous loop skimming the canyon rim with balcony viewpoints at every bend.

About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 17 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 5

Col d'Aubisque and Col Agnel

  • Col d'Aubisque · 18.6 mi · 9.4 / 10. Cliff cut hairpins and cirque views link two valleys via the dramatic Litor shelf.
  • Col Agnel · 13.7 mi · 9.3 / 10. Remote high altitude pass to the Italian frontier with tight ribbons and stark empty scenery.

About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 27 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 6

Gorges du Tarn and Grande Corniche

  • Gorges du Tarn · 32.3 mi · 9.3 / 10. A river hugging road beneath towering limestone cliffs, one of the Massif Central's great drives.
  • Grande Corniche · 9.9 mi · 9.3 / 10. Napoleon's high road above Monaco, immortalised on film, staring down onto the principality.

About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 18 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 7

Scala di Santa Regina and Col de Bavella

  • Scala di Santa Regina · 15.5 mi · 9.3 / 10. A narrow gorge road blasted into red granite walls, the gateway to Corsica's high interior.
  • Col de Bavella · 23.6 mi · 9.3 / 10. Needle like granite spires tower over this pass linking Corsica's interior to the east coast.

About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 24 min behind the wheel including transit.

Practical

Where to start and what it costs

Base yourself

Nice, Grenoble or Strasbourg

Nights to book

6 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 1391.9 miles of driving plus any vignettes or tunnel fees for the countries you cross.

Other lengths

More time, or less, in France