Biot (pronounced to rhyme with “plot” and not “show”) is a typical Provençal hilltop settlement and this church is situated at the top of the village just off the Place des Arcades. The current structure, which is the village parish catholic church, dates from the 16th century and was built on the ruin of a Roman church.
When you enter, you descend a short flight of stairs which gives an interesting perspective not normally afforded when walking into a church.
The building has been very sympathetically restored with partial frescoes adorning the walls. There are magnificent chapels and beautiful 16th century artwork either side of the main body of the church.
The stained glass windows on the left, as you look towards the main altar, cast colouful images on the opposite wall (unfortunately the camera on my phone couldn’t do these images justice).
I’m not particularly religious but I do love old buildings. I adhere to the theory expounded, amongst others, by Michael Bentine ( of The Goons fame) that everyone who passes through a building leaves an imprint of their life force in the stones.
Churches, generally being old buildings, I find especially fascinating. St Marie Madeleine de Biot did not disappoint and I found within a very atmospheric environment in which to pass a trnaquil moment while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the surroundings.
