Biot Tourist Information

Biot

The village is famed for its glass production which started in 1956 when Eloi Monod created la Verrerie de Biot. He sought to develop "old glass" and by adding carbonate of soda to the process, the world famous bubble glass was born. There are now eight different glass studios in Biot - many of them can be visited free of charge. At La Verrerie there is also an international glass gallery with major artists' work on show.

Before becoming a centre for glassmaking Biot was renowned for its pottery and ceramics (18-20th centuries), especially for the large Biot jars. La Poterie Provencale, 1689 route de la Mer, is the last traditional jar maker in the village - entry free. There are another six ceramic workshops in the village but visits are by appointment only. British born Gary Simmons has established himself in the village to create a new venture for Biot - candle making. In addition to his shop, he runs candle making and design courses for amateurs and professionals. Next door to him is leather maker Marc Zanardelli with beautiful handbags and other small leathers on sale. Both take commissions for individual pieces as does the stylish glass maker opposite - Mando. The village is also home to jewellery makers, painters, ironworks, cutlery factory and even a marionnettist.

Biot was first colonised by the Romans 2000 years ago and Roman remains can still be seen. The village was a Templars commander in the 13th century and then came the Malta knights. Biot was abandoned after the plague but was repopulated by fifty families from Italy in 1470. As you walk around Biot there are medieval gateways, coloured mosaics, Maltese crosses and engraved stones to be seen.

Famous artists such as Raymond Peyner and Fernand Leger chose to live in Biot as well as the Swedish ceramist Hans Hedberg, glassblower Jean-Claude Novaro and pianist Richard Clayderman. The Fernand Leger national museum, chemin du Val de Pome, exhibits a collection of his paintings and ceramics. In the same street is the Bonsai Arboretum - 2000 sq m of Japanese garden with its exceptional collection of bonsai. Entry 4 euros. The Biot History and Ceramics museum in the centre of the village is open 2pm-6pm every day except Monday and Tuesday in the winter and 10am to 6pm in the summer. Entry 2 euros.

There are many walks in the area, including along the river Brague - call in to the Tourist Office, 46 rue St Sabestien, for details. Golf lovers will want to play at Biot Golf course, route d'Antibes.

Biot boasts lots of restaurants and cafes. The Restaurant de la Poste (dish of the day 10€) is a firm favourite and you can dine outdoors in the main square. L'Ika offers dishes from La Reunion so if looking for something different - and tasty - try it, but be warned the prices displayed do not include tax and the coffee is a bit steep at 2.50€ each. In Place les Arcades is the Galeries restaurant which gets good reviews from many - 21 euros for two courses. The restaurant des Verriers at the glass factory La Verrerie at the foot of the village gets full marks and dish of the day is 10€.

Getting to Biot

By car: Take the route from Cannes to Valbonne and follow the signs to Biot or take the motorway A8 and come off at the Antibes exit. From here do note that the road signs for Biot are not clear as you have to go round - and around! - the roundabouts until you see the signs. Plenty of parking.

By train: take the train from Cannes to Biot station (direction Nice) and then a bus, routes 7, 10, or 21.

By bus: take the Line 200 Cannes to Nice and alight at Biot station for local bus to Biot (3km), routes 7, 10, 21.

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