Biot jarres, named after the fortified medieval hilltop village of Biot in Provence, have been handmade without a mold or wheel using the ancient rope thrown technique since the 16th century. Thanks to Biot’s rich clay deposits and stone ovens, the town became the Mediterranean’s largest producer of jars. Between the 16th and 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Biot jars were shipped across the region — with more than 500 potters recorded in its history.

Today, potters in this coastal village famous for its ceramics and pottery, continue the tradition of coiling rope around a wood frame to shape the pot. They then use a mixture of red and gray clay to achieve the desired color and apply it by hand onto the rope. Once the clay begins to dry and the shape sets, the potters carefully unwind the rope and remove the wood frame. The result? A jar with the distinctive textured interior that makes each one unmistakably Biot.