With its exceptional natural and historical heritage, France offers thousands of possibilities for all kinds of escapades. Whether in the mountains, along the coast or through France’s most beautiful villages and castles, these breathtaking routes are the perfect way to discover all the country’s treasures. Here are a few itineraries to discover.
The Great Alps Route
It’s impossible to talk about France’s most beautiful roads without mentioning the Route des Grandes Alpes, a veritable myth for road trip enthusiasts. Covering almost 700 km, it links Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva to Menton on the Côte d’Azur, crossing 16 legendary passes including the Iseran and Galibier. At every turn, the scenery changes: glaciers, larch forests, hilltop villages, panoramic views of the peaks. This is an adventure that can be enjoyed in 5 to 7 days, preferably between June and October, when the passes are open.
📍Location: Route des Grandes Alpes – From Thonon-les-Bains to Menton
📆 Dates: preferably between June and October
The Emerald Route
For an authentic escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris, head for Brittany! Just a few hours from the capital, this coastal route links picturesque villages along a breathtaking coastline. Between Cancale and Erquy, this 80-kilometre stretch offers an exceptional itinerary, ideal for a road trip between nature, sea and heritage.
📍Location: Route d’émeraude – From Cancale to Erquy
The Loire Valley Castles Route
The Route des Châteaux de la Loire offers a royal itinerary through the valley of the historic river. From Chambord to Angers, it passes through such jewels as Chenonceau, Villandry, Amboise and Saumur, each telling a page of French history. French gardens, Renaissance architecture and panoramic views of the Loire follow one another, with stops at wine cellars to sample local wines. It’s an ideal 2-4 day getaway, especially in spring or autumn, when the light sublimates the stones.
📍Location: route des Châteaux de la Loire – from Chambord to Angers
The Route of the Perched Villages of Occitania
This route in the south of France takes you on a unique itinerary through the Occitanie region. Along the way, you’ll pass through such jewels as Conques, Belcastel and Cordes-sur-Ciel, each with its ancient stones, charming alleyways and strong identity. These villages seem to have stepped out of a fairy tale, perfect for immersing yourself in rural heritage without rushing.
📍Stops : Sauveterre-de-Rouergue – Belcastel – Conques – Capdenac-le-Haut – Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – Najac – Cordes-sur-Ciel – Monestiés
ℹ️ Practical info: 244-kilometre itinerary – to be done in spring or autumn – reach Rodez by train from Paris
The Corniche d’Or
The Corniche d’Or is a classic of the Côte d’Azur: a 30-km panoramic road between Saint-Raphaël and Cannes, carved out of the red rocks of the Estérel in the early 20th century. Inaugurated in 1903 by the Touring Club de France, it winds its way along ochre cliffs, calanques, capes and turquoise coves, with numerous belvederes for stopping and descending to small beaches. You can also explore the Pic de l’Ours and Cap Dramont trails.
📍Location: route de la Corniche d’Or – From Saint-Raphaël to Cannes
📅 Dates: best between May and September
The Route des Crêtes in the Gorges du Verdon
The Route des Crêtes crosses the Gorges du Verdon for 24 km of panoramic views. There are 14 scenic lookouts, some of them suspended more than 700 meters above the gorge floor. The landscape alternates between sheer limestone cliffs, the turquoise river below and Mediterranean vegetation, offering spectacular panoramas at every turn. The route is generally open from March to November, and is best explored in 1h30 to 2h, with stops for views and photos.
📍Location: Route des Crètes des Gorges du Verdon – Loop around La-Palud-sur-Verdon
📅Dates: late March to late November