Spotlight on Biot,

Spotlight on Biot, French Riviera The hilltop village of Biot sits between glamorous Cannes and picturesque Cagnes where Renoir lived out his last years, a little off the beaten path, it’s well worth seeking out says Janine Marsh. The Romans came here in the second century BC, defeating the local tribes who had been there long before them, and making use of the local clay soil which was perfect for making wine and oil jars. Just a few kilometres from Antibes (which the Romans called Antipolis), on the Mediterranean Sea, Biot was then as now, in a covetable location. After a spell in the middle ages when the village was devastated by plague, taken over by bandits and then repopulated in the 15 th century with families from Genoa (a common theme at this time in the area), life settled down and pottery production once again became a main industry. Biot has reinvented itself several times over. When the pottery industry declined, the people turned to wine and horticulture for several decades (Grasse the capital of the perfume industry is close by). Today, Biot is famous for its glass production and arts and crafts and modern artist Ferdinand Leger. What to see and do in Biot Green-fingered locals have given the village flowery fairy tale vibes Cobbled streets of Biot The Musée National Fernand Leger is the star attraction in Biot, yet there is infinitely more to this lovely ancient, cobbled village. Steep steps and labyrinth-like streets snake up from the base of the hill and all is draped with flowers, climbing plants and wall pots. Tiny gardens are nurtured in every nook and cranny by green fingered villagers creating a fairy tale ambience. Vibrant, colourful art is in abundance here, from the workshops and galleries of local artists to the decorated streets. Pop into the historic Sainte Marie-Madeleine Church, rebuilt in the 15th century on the ruins of a 12th century Romanesque church which was likely built on top of a Roman temple. You can reach the beach in just 15 minutes from Biot, there’s a bus service from the village. From spring to autumn there’s a packed programme of events including evening art exhibitions every Thursday (July and August) and fashion shows. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, gourmet food shops (don’t miss the chocolaterie where master chocolate maker Marc Saint-Saëns creates mouth-watering sweet things). And there are several hiking paths around the village which take you through pine forests and oak groves, alongside the Brague River, 24 | The Good Life France Art is everywhere in Biot The Good Life France | 25