The Hilltop Village of Biot - The start of this hike
A three hour hike from medieval hilltop town Biot to Valbonne along the Brague river valley.
Route Notes
- Departure point: Biot
- Distance: 9.8 km
- Climb: 180 m
- Descent: 60 m
- Duration: 3:00 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Best time to hike: year round
Hiking Trail Overview
Biot is a beautiful medieval hilltop village above the river Brague in wooded hills, famous for crafts. Its position so close to the coast makes it the perfect starting point for a hike. Grab your breakfast sitting outside a café in the old square before setting off on your trek through the forest.
The village manufactured pottery at an early stage because of the quality sand and clay reserves below ground. In the 1950s the ceramist Eloi Monod developed the glass blowing craft for which Biot has become famous. The glass is typically clear or coloured and transparent with very few bubbles. You can visit some of the glass works on the outskirts of the village to see the glass blowing in action.
This trek from Biot to Valbonne follows the Brague river through forest filled with alder, hazel and ash trees. With waterfalls along the way, you feel like you’re in an enchanted forest!
The Route
Pass the town hall (Mairie de Biot) and the square, Place St-Éloi, and then take the tarmac path ‘Joseph Durbec’ all the way to the end. Descend steeply, and continue to follow the trail to the old canal that leads to the Clausonnes ford.
Cross the canal and continue along this path, which is paved in places, and take in the beautiful forest as you hike. Cross the Pin Montard valley and pass the bridge, Pont des Tamarins.
Continue along the right bank of the river, pass under the road RD 604 and past a horse riding school. You’ll pass a ruin, then turn left to leave the water’s edge for a short while before you return again to the river where you’ll catch an amazing view of the Bruguet valley.
Then cross a track and cross another ford leading to the stone bridge ‘Pont de Pierre’. Pass on the right bank of the river and continue along the path through clearer forest before joining the Calanques path and the last ford that leads to the nature house.
Turn left on the track, then take the road to Valbonne through the cemetery.
Remember to leave a car in Valbonne for your return journey or take the shuttle bus back to Biot through Antibes.
Getting there
This hike starts in Biot which is located 8 km inland from Antibes.
