Biot travel guide

Photo of Biot

Visit Biot (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)

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Biot is a small town near Antibes, between Nice and Cannes, a little inland from the French Riviera. Despite its location, it is slightly off the main routes that cross the region and is much quieter than many of the towns in the area.

The raised position of Biot means it qualifies as a Provencal perched village and it has the fortifications and entry gate that originally helped protect the town.

Explore Biot

France This Way review: Biot is very pretty with quite an extensive historic centre lined with attractive houses and numerous small features to catch your attention.

Park in the car parks concealed down the hillside (les bachettes) and enter Biot along the Rue Saint Sebastien - a broad boulevard lined with attractive colourful houses, cafes, and lots of greenery.

Office de Tourism in Biot

The tourist office is halfway along this street, and the old town is found at the far end of this road and contains many features and highlights to attract your attention as you explore.

The centre of Biot old town is the Place des Arcades (a narrow square with arcaded houses along both sides and the 15th century church at the end - be sure to go in the church to see the retable (altar painting) of the Virgin of the Rosary by 16th century artist Louis Brea.

As you explore the streets you will come to a small gap in the houses called the place de la Catastrophe - it was here in 1898 that three houses collapsed during a communion party killing 26 people.

 
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Be sure to ask for a map of the town at Biot Tourist Office: the map contains a wealth of fascinating information, and highlights many interesting architectural features that you might otherwise miss that all help bring the history of the town to life.

These highlights include two of the original medieval gateways into the town, both built in the 1560's: the Porte des Migraniers on the Calade des Migraniers and the Porte des Tines on Rue des Tines. You can also follow a walk around part of the ramparts.

Biot is well known for:

- its glass-blowing: you will find many shops and workshops that will introduce you to the art - and sell you examples

- Fernand Leger: there is a museum dedicated to the well known modern artist Fernand Leger on the edge of the town, with an interesting collection that shows you the life and career of the painter as it developed over the earlier decades of the 20th century.

Slightly south-west of Biot town centre you should also explore the large gardens of the Chèvre d'Or. These cover about a hectare and include terraces, citrus trees and Italian style gardens as well as a profusion of flowers.

Place des Arcades in Biot

Attractions nearby

There are lots of popular towns and resorts in the vicinity of Biot. Our personal favourite is the historic town of Antibes and a walk around the Cap d'Antibes to the south.

You can find more travel ideas in the Alpes-Maritimes guide and the Provence guide.

See also: 

Photos of Biot

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  • biot-centre
  • biot-office-de-tourisme
  • cobbled-street
  • place-de-la-catastrophe
  • place-des-arcades
  • quiet-courtyard

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Hotels in Biot

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Where

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Map of Biot and places nearby

 
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Visit near Biot with France This Way reviews

Cagnes-sur-Mer

Cagnes-sur-Mer

If you visit the resort and beaches of Cagnes-sur-Mer be sure to also explore the attractive old village of Haut-de-Cagnes on the hill behind

Cagnes-sur-Mer guide
Antibes

Antibes

One of the most picturesque towns on the Riviera, Antibes also has a very lively town centre and a lovely market

Antibes guide
Valmasque Parc

Valmasque Parc

Valmasque Parc is a tranquil park of trees and picnic areas

Valmasque Parc guide
Juan-les-Pins

Juan-les-Pins

A short distance west of Antibes, Juan-les-Pins is one of the liveliest resorts in the riviera

Juan-les-Pins guide
Valbonne

Valbonne

Very quiet when we visited, we found Valbonne to be an almost undiscovered small jewel of a town

Valbonne guide
Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Saint-Paul-de-Vence

On of the highlights in the pretty village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the famous Museum of Modern Art

Saint-Paul-de-Vence guide

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Alpes-Maritimes

Address: Biot, Antibes-Biot, Grasse, Provence, 6410, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.6294, longitude 7.09611

Plan your visit to Biot, Alpes-Maritimes

Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby

  • Marineland d'Antibes: aquarium (3 km)
  • Jardin botanique de la villa Thuret: remarkable garden (6 km)
  • Parc Phœnix: zoo or wildlife park (11 km)
  • Cannes: ville fleurie 4* (11 km)
  • Abbaye de Lerins (Cannes): religious monument (11 km)
  • Gourdon: most beautiful village (14 km)
  • Baou de Saint-Jeannet: site of natural beauty (14 km)
  • Grasse: secteur sauvegarde (14 km)
  • Jardin de la Villa Fort de France: remarkable garden (15 km)
  • Jardin botanique: remarkable garden (16 km)
  • Nice: secteur sauvegarde (16 km)
  • Parc du château de la Napoule: remarkable garden (17 km)

The French version of this page is at Biot (Francais)

 
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