Musée d'histoire et de céramique biotoises
Small museum in Biot, in the former Saint-Jacques hospital, on the village’s history, its terracotta jars and everyday life in the past.
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About the museum
The museum is run by an association under the 1901 law and has been open to the public since 1981. It occupies the former Saint-Jacques hospital, whose cistern has been preserved. A gallery fitted out in the former chapel of the White Penitents, dating from the 16th century, hosts temporary exhibitions. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label.
The collections originally came from donations by village families and continue to grow through purchases. The permanent display traces the history of Biot with panels, photographs and objects, and presents a typical 19th-century Biot kitchen, reconstructed thanks to donations from residents.
The village’s history goes back to prehistory. The Romans left remains there, including the Arbugio stele, displayed in the museum. The Knights Templar received the lands of Biot in 1209, before the Knights Hospitaller took over in 1312. In 1470 King René brought some fifty families from Liguria to repopulate the village. From the 16th century, pottery developed, particularly large jars, thanks to local deposits of clay and cinérite.
Highlights
- Arbugio stele, a Gallo-Roman remain from Biot
- 19th-century Biot kitchen, reconstructed with donations from residents
- Panels, photographs and objects on the history of Biot
- History of Biot jars, local pottery developed since the 16th century
- Exhibition gallery in the former chapel of the White Penitents
Permanent exhibitions
- Histoire de Biot – Panels, photographs and objects on Biot’s past, from prehistory to modern times, with the Arbugio stele.
- Cuisine biotoise du XIXe siècle – Reconstruction of a typical Biot kitchen, furnished with objects donated by residents.
- Founded
- 1980
- Operated by
- Association Les amis du Musée (loi 1901)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Seniors, students and job seekers |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Free for under 16s. |
| Seniors | €2 |
| Students & apprentices | €2 |
| Groups | –Guided tours and special rates for groups; enquire with the museum. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours offered on certain dates (see the museum’s programme). School pupils benefit from activities adapted to each school cycle. |
