Driving through Gorges de Nouailles, a French balcony road

# Gorges de Nouailles: France's Most Stunning Riverside Drive

Tucked away in the Doubs department of eastern France's Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region lies the Gorges de Nouailles—a dramatic canyon carved out by the Loue River that absolutely lives up to its reputation as one of France's most iconic balcony roads.

The D67 is what makes this place special. Engineers literally carved this 6.6 km ribbon of asphalt directly into the limestone cliffs, creating a road that winds from Mouthier-Haute-Pierre to Saint-Gorgon-Main in one unforgettable stretch. Best part? It's fully paved, so no white-knuckle gravel driving required—just pure scenic bliss with plenty of hairpin turns to keep things interesting.

Dating back to 1845 (yes, it was built during Louis-Philippe's reign), this road has been wowing travelers for nearly two centuries. The views are genuinely spectacular, with strategically placed pullouts scattered throughout so you can actually stop and soak it all in. The canyon walls tower around you, the river below sparkles in its crystal-clear glory, and every bend reveals something new.

Fair warning though: this road is *narrow*, and those curves aren't for the faint of heart. Take it slow and definitely use those parking areas provided. Bikers absolutely love this route—the combination of technical riding and jaw-dropping panoramas makes it a two-wheeled paradise.

The river itself is famous among whitewater enthusiasts, complete with impressive natural jumps including the dramatic "Grand Saut" waterfall. It's one of those rare places where the road itself is just as thrilling as the scenery surrounding it.