Route Du Pas de la Confession is a balcony road in the French Alps

# Pas de la Confession: The Pass That Made Travelers Pray

Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, Pas de la Confession lives up to its dramatic name. This 1,541m (5,055ft) mountain pass earned its nickname because the route was so nerve-wracking that travelers heading from Huez to Villard-Reculas were literally encouraged to confess their sins first. There's even an oratory on the Huez side where visitors could perform this ritual before tackling the road—which pretty much tells you everything you need to know about what you're getting into.

Welcome to one of France's most famous "balcony roads." The D211B (Route Du Pas de la Confession), also known as Routes du Vertige, is fully paved but absolutely unforgiving. Carved dramatically into the mountainside, this 3.5 km (2.17 miles) stretch runs east-northwest with sheer, exposed sections that demand your complete concentration. The road is narrow, rides impossibly high above the valley below, and one wrong move really could be your last. Rock slides are a legitimate hazard, and trucks or caravans are strictly prohibited—there's just no room for error here.

But here's the thing: the views are absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive. Perched high above the Romanche Valley, the scenery is genuinely mesmerizing. A few viewpoints dot the route if you can manage to pull over safely and catch your breath. You'll just need to give this road your undivided attention, because the dramatic landscape deserves it—and so does your safety.

Interestingly, this was Villard-Reculas's only lifeline until 1980, when a new connection to Allemont finally gave residents an alternative route.