If you are passionate about old towns, what in France they call "towns because", Biot is your case
In the interior of the French Riviera, a 20-minute drive from Antibes, it is not your usual town. AND the town of artists so much so that it has obtained the “City and Crafts of Art” brand. Its specialty is glass making, but in Biot there are not only stained glass windows but artistic workshops of all kinds. Painters, sculptors, designers, ceramists, jewelers, goldsmiths, leatherworkers, photographers: they all exercise their passion in the authentic setting of a Provençal village, perfect for inspiring creativity.
The inhabitants are few, but there are many tourists, especially in summer and especially Italians, who fill the alleys and squares, the small shops and art galleries and the tables of the numerous open-air bistros.
Although the town is small, houses many museshe. The Museum of History and Ceramics was created in the restored old chapel of the White Penitents; the National Museum Fernand LĂ©ger, one of Biot's most famous artists, is located in a large modern building; The Glass Ecomuseum, located inside the Verrerie de Biot, pays tribute to the tradition of glass blowing and, in particular, that of bubble glass, the town's specialty.
The 15th century Sainte-Marie-Madeleine church – built on an old Roman church – and the chapels – such as that of Saint-Roch which dates back to at least the 16th century or that of Saint-Julien where hermits lived – but even the old ones Squares and doors are the legacy of a rich and exciting history. Like the splendid Place des Arcades, in the heart of the village, one of the unmissable places in Biot in terms of artistic and cultural heritage. Initially a Roman castrum, later headquarters of the templarsi, today it has a very particular appearance reminiscent of Ligurian architecture.
A curious town, Biot. Also for the names of the streets, which tell the history of the town and which have changed over the centuries. Today we have Catastrophe Square at the place where, in 1889, some houses collapsed, killing those invited to a communion. There are the rue du Barri and Sous-Barri (“barri” means “bastion”) corresponding to a wall that would have surrounded the city after 1500. Then there is the Porte des Tines: you can imagine that small jars or jars were used. for the evacuation of wastewater beyond the walls.
In the 18th century they were trade unions located in these streets to impose their name: thus we find the rue des Orfèvres ("street of the goldsmiths"), the rue de la Poissonnerie ("street of the fishmonger"), the rue de la Vieille Boucherie ("street of the old Butcher shop").
During the European Days of Artistic Professions. Scheduled for April 6 and 7, 2019, the new itinerary will be inaugurated. “Biot, 50 artists and craftsmen”, with guided tours of two or three hours by bus and on foot on the theme of crafts, a signature of the area. For those vacationing on the French Riviera in summer, the fifth edition of the art nights with entertainment and musical shows, street exhibitions, open shops, workshops for children and free guided tours.
Biot also has a long gastronomic tradition. Let's not forget that this entire area of ​​the French Riviera belonged to Italy. The gastronomy of this inland town, located at a very important crossroads in the south of France, reflects its entire history, even on the plate. In addition to clubs and restaurants, there are also many food trucks where you can taste local street food. Therefore, you should not miss the Provençal market that takes place every Tuesday morning: it begins on Saint-Sébastien Street, at the entrance to the town, and runs along the main road to Place des Arcades, where you can find fruits and vegetables, local specialties, but also jewelry and all kinds of crafts.
