Les Détroits - D907BIS: A Balcony Road in France
France, europe
11.3 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
# Les Détroits: France's Thrilling Clifftop Drive
Ready for an adrenaline rush? Head to the Lozère department in southern France's Occitania region, where the legendary road through Les Détroits awaits. Perched dramatically above the Gorges du Tarn, this isn't your typical Sunday cruise.
The Tarn River carved this marvel over millennia, and now the fully paved D907BIS winds its way along impossibly narrow sections clinging to sheer cliff faces. We're talking serious drop-offs here—the kind that'll have your passengers gripping the door handles. Fair warning: if your vehicle is taller than 3.8 meters, you'll need to find another route.
Stretching just over 11 kilometers (about 7 miles) from La Malène to Les Vignes, this east-west corridor delivers non-stop jaw-dropping scenery. The road hugs the mountainside like it was glued there, offering stunning views of the gorge below as you navigate each heart-pounding curve. It's the kind of road that makes for incredible stories and even better photos—assuming you can keep your hands steady on the camera!
If you're a thrill-seeking driver with a good head for heights, Les Détroits absolutely belongs on your bucket list.
Where is it?
Les Détroits - D907BIS: A Balcony Road in France is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 44.9525, 2.7209
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11.3 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 44.9525, 2.7209
Related Roads in europe
hardClue de Barles is a French balcony road
🇫🇷 France
# Clue de Barles: A Thrilling Canyon Drive in French Provence Ready for one of France's most breathtaking scenic routes? Head to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in southeastern France, just north of Digne-les-Bains, where you'll find the jaw-dropping Clue de Barles canyon. This 31.7 km (19.69 miles) paved roller coaster—also called Clue de Saint-Clément—winds through a stunning gorge carved out by the Le Bes river. The road (D900A) snakes its way north from Digne-les-Bains to Verdaches, and trust us, this isn't your typical cruise down a mountain pass. **What to expect:** This drive is seriously intense. The road is carved directly into the mountainside, and in places, it gets brutally narrow. You'll spot warning signs about height restrictions ranging from 2.8m to 3.2m—yeah, some sections are tight. Rock slides are a real hazard here, so stay alert and respect the canyon's temperamental nature. Nestled in the Bès valley, just north of Clue du Pérouré, this route demands your full attention. Most drivers take 40-50 minutes to complete it without stops—though honestly, you'll probably want to pull over for photos because the views are absolutely spectacular. If you love roads that make your heart race and leave you with unforgettable memories, Clue de Barles belongs on your bucket list.
moderateThe World's Longest Road Tunnel is Being Planned — and It Will Include a Roundabout
🇳🇴 Norway
# The Boknafjord Tunnel: Norway's Game-Changing Underwater Drive Picture this: you're cruising beneath the sea for over 26 kilometers, no ferries, no endless waits—just open road. Norway's making this dream real with the Boknafjord Tunnel, and it's honestly wild. For decades, travelers between Randaberg (near Stavanger) and Bokn have been stuck taking ferries that add hours to their trips. Not anymore. This 27-kilometer underwater tunnel plunges 392 meters below sea level, making it the longest and deepest subsea tunnel ever built. When it opens in 2033, it'll steal the crown from the Lærdal Tunnel to become the world's longest road tunnel, period. ## Why Everyone's Excited This isn't just about shaving time off your commute. The tunnel connects the entire E39 highway—linking Kristiansand, Stavanger, Haugesund, Bergen, Førde, Ålesund, Molde, and Trondheim. Freight operators, emergency services, tourists, and everyday drivers will all benefit from a ferry-free route that cuts 50 kilometers off the current 21-hour journey. ## The Engineering Marvel Skanska is handling construction on this NOK 5 billion project, with Norway investing a massive $45.5 billion in the entire E39 modernization. The tunnel features cutting-edge safety systems and infrastructure designed to handle the extreme conditions of the deep. Beyond Boknafjord, Norway's even experimenting with floating underwater tunnels—a revolutionary concept that navigates the country's dramatic coastline while protecting the natural environment. It's not just infrastructure; it's a statement. Norway's showing the world how to build smarter, faster, and greener.
moderateCol du Clapier is where Hannibal crossed the Alps
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Clapier-Colle Clapier: A High-Alpine Adventure Perched at a dramatic 2,480m (8,170ft) in the northern Cottian Alps, the Col du Clapier straddles the Italian-French border like a natural gateway between worlds. This pass—also called Col de la Savine—connects the Savoie region of southeastern France with Italy's Piedmont, and honestly, it's one of those places that feels genuinely remote and timeless. Here's the thing: there's no paved road up here. Instead, you're looking at a bridle path that stretches from Bramans (1,220m) down to Susa (503m), making this a true hiker and mountain biker's territory. The path only opens seasonally—typically July through August—when the snow finally melts away. Starting from Col du Petit Mont Cenis, you've got a 7km climb ahead of you. The lower sections follow an old military gravel road (accessible to 4x4s and bikes), a remnant of the late 1800s and WWI-era fortifications that pepper this entire alpine border. Once you push past Lac de Savine though, it's hiking only—the bikes have to stop, and the Italian side becomes a proper mule track for feet only. But here's what really makes this pass legendary: Hannibal might've crossed here. Seriously. While historians have debated for 2,000 years exactly which route the general took with his 50,000 soldiers, 5,000 horses, and 37 elephants back in 218 BC, this remote pass is a genuine contender. Sure, Napoleon and the local tourist board back the Col du Mont Cenis, but many scholars think Clapier's secluded nature makes it the perfect candidate for his daring Alps crossing into Italy. Either way, you're walking in the footsteps of history.
hardCol de l’Ours
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Col de l’Ours in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a climb to 1,936 meters (that's 6,351 feet!), so buckle up. Picture this: you're snaking through the Pyrénées mountains, but the road? Well, it's gravel, rocky, and ready to give your suspension a workout. It's not always passable either – usually, snow shuts it down from October to June. A 4x4 is highly recommended if you want to reach the top. Keep an eye out for the tourist train chugging along the route! Oh, and if you’re feeling extra adventurous, there's a seriously steep trail, plus a gravel chairlift access trail near the pass that'll take you even higher to 2,038m! It's all about stunning scenery and a raw, rugged experience.