Educational trail: THE FRENCH ROAD (Napoleon's road) - Brela

Step into history and enjoy the spectacular views from an engineering marvel of Biokovo!

The French road educational trail, also known as Napoleon's road, offers a unique opportunity for an easy hike through history and incredible natural scenery. This road represents an exceptional contribution to road building from the beginning of the 19th century (constructed in 1810 - 1811), and today it is declared a cultural monument of the Republic of Croatia.

A journey through construction history

The road is laid out on the steep slopes of Biokovo, between 357 and 444 meters above sea level. Its genius lies in its gentle incline, which does not exceed 6%, making it extremely pleasant for horse-drawn carriages, riding, and walking.

• architect Frane Zavoreo is the designer of this masterpiece.

• as it was never fully completed, the trail today allows us to reconstruct all phases of its construction, making it a true open-air classroom on two-century-old technology.

• interpretation boards are placed along the road to explain the purpose and method of building this historical treasure.

As experts note: "Nowhere among the preserved examples of French roads in Dalmatia can the construction technology, tracing method, and building phases be as clearly understood as they are here. In the rough Biokovo karst, these switchbacks represent a triumph of the road building of that era."

Spectacular views of the Adriatic

In addition to its historical value, the French Road is a magnificent viewpoint along its entire length. During your walk, you will enjoy a panoramic view of:

• Brela and the entire Makarska Riviera.

• The surrounding waters and the islands of Brač and Hvar.

(WARNING: The trail is easy but is located in a mountain environment and requires standard hiking gear and caution.)

For those who want to know more: Napoleon's legacy

This road is part of a broader network, known as "Napoleon's road," which was built along the entire length of Dalmatia (from Obrovac to the Bay of Kotor) during the French rule (1808–1813). Construction was managed under Napoleon's general, Auguste Marmont, whom Croatian history remembers for many progressive measures he undertook. Although this specific section, intended to connect the Makarska Riviera with the hinterland (Zabiokovlje), was never completed, the valuable remains of the dry-stone walls and switchbacks stand as an enduring monument to a great construction endeavor

Status: registered in the Register of Cultural Goods of the Republic of Croatia (Sept 25, 2017)