Following on from your South of France surveyor’s whistle-stop tour of Villefranche-Sur-Mer and Sartène, we continue our series of guides to some of the less famous destinations in this wonderful part of the world.
Near Antibes, between Nice and Cannes, and just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean, you will find the beautiful hilltop medieval town of Biot. Thanks to its location somewhat off the beaten path and away from the main routes favoured by tourists, Biot is the perfect place for those looking for a quieter getaway.
In the town, you can walk the ancient Les Place aux Arcades, the main town square, complete with dripping flowers and stone arches. The square is resplendent with small shops and lovely cafes and restaurants in which to while away the hours and enjoy some of the region’s wonderful cuisine, wine, and coffee.
Biot
After the Romans settled in the region in 154 BC, Biot was taken over by pirates, rogues, and thieves in the 1300s. This led to a period where the town was not a place for those looking for a peaceful reception.
However, today there are no pirates in sight, and the town instead has a reputation for the art of glassblowing. Biot has many galleries and workshops where fans of this craft can shop for some fine examples, or even try their hand at the art form themselves. Biot has also been a source of pottery for centuries, as the region is rich in fine clays, sand, manganese, and even volcanic tufa for making the kilns. Amphorae made in Biot were exported worldwide, from Antibes and Marseilles, until the 18th century.
If art is your thing, you can visit a museum dedicated to the modern artist, Fern Léger. Located on the edge of the town, you can tour the museum at your leisure and learn all about the life and career of this fascinating artist through an expansive collection of his works and other information from throughout the 20th century.
Natural Wonders
If you prefer natural treats, just southwest of the town centre you can find the Chèvre d’Or. These expansive gardens cover around a hectare and contain beautiful terraces, citrus trees, Italian style gardens, and breathtaking flower beds to lose yourself in.
However, you cannot visit Biot without checking out its most impressive natural wonder. Travel about two kilometres northwest of the town to find the centre of an ancient volcano. Thanks to millennia of mining the aforementioned tufta stone to build pottery ovens, much of it has gone, but the area is still home to some impressive volcanic rock forms and the structure is clearly visible on geographic maps.
Final Thoughts
If our guides have whetted your appetite to check out some of these lovely locations for yourself, you may want to consider purchasing property in the region to serve as a base of operations.
If so, you will need to employ the services of a Chartered Surveyor in the South of France. With over 30 years’ experience, Charles Mackintosh will help you to navigate the process.
Please get in touch today for more information.