Biot and the Templars 2025

From April 4th to 6th, 2025, Biot transforms into a journey through time, immersing the village in a unique medieval atmosphere. It’s time for “Biot et les Templiers 2025,” an event offering a rich and varied program of performances, shows, and gastronomic opportunities.

Who Were the Templars?

The Knights Templar were a religious and military order that operated during the 12th and 13th centuries to protect pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, who were often victims of violence and atrocities. The Order emerged in the 12th century following the capture of Jerusalem by the Persians and Arabs in 1099. In the era of the Crusades, pilgrimages to the Holy Land became increasingly dangerous and uncertain.

In 1118, Hugues de Payns founded the Order of the “Poor Knights of Christ,” with the mission of ensuring protection along the route from “Port of Arrival” to Jerusalem, safeguarding pilgrims. Initially concentrated in the East, the knights gained favor from King Baldwin II of Jerusalem, who welcomed them into his palace and granted them the Temple of Solomon. This is when the “Poor Knights of Christ” became known as the Knights Templar.

In 1129 and 1140, the Order’s rules were established in detail, and the knights were required to wear a white robe with a red cross on the chest or shoulder. With the Temple of Solomon entrusted to them, the Templars expanded thanks to numerous donations and efficient land management. The Templars began to establish “houses,” which later became “commanderies.” By the end of the 13th century, there were approximately 9,000 commanderies in Europe, 3,000 of which were in France, and 29 in Provence.

While still soldiers, the Templars lived in these commanderies in a monastic fashion, dedicating themselves to prayer and adhering to the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

The Templars and Biot

In 1209, Count Alfonso II of Provence granted the Templars the right to use part of the land in Biot. Initially managed by the Grasse commandery, the Templars established their own “house” in Biot in 1233, situated in the ancient castle of Biot. Today, this building is still visible, located between Place de l’Eglise and Place aux Arcades.

The commandery of Biot consisted of the usual distribution of the Order’s buildings: the commander’s room, a large hall, a cellar, a tower with a basement, barns, stables, and gardens with almond trees, fig trees, and vines. Each house was manned by two to four knights, a chaplain, squires, and brothers.

Unlike other commanderies, Biot’s was dedicated to agriculture, with the knights employing seasonal workers for the harvest. As a result, Biot’s commandery had much higher income than others. Between 1226 and 1260, the Templar territory in Biot expanded significantly, covering areas from Villeneuve-Loubet to Clausonnes, including the Gulf of Biot.

By the dawn of the 14th century, the Templars had become unpopular in the West, accused of living in excess due to the wealth they had accumulated through donations.

In 1307, the Templars were arrested by order of King Philip IV of France, who intended to destroy the Order and seize its wealth. Though Biot was outside the King’s jurisdiction, the knights of Biot were arrested three months later by order of Charles II le Boiteux, Count of Provence, and imprisoned at Perthuis. Following these arrests, Pope Clement V transferred the wealth of the Templars to the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, who in 1530 became the Knights of Malta.

Biot and the Templars in the 21st Century

In 2009, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Count de Provence’s donation to the Templar Order, the city of Biot organized the first “Biot et les Templiers” event. A three-day celebration with over 10,000 visitors, featuring a rich program of activities such as historical reconstructions, concerts, costume parades, conferences, torchlight processions, a recreation of a 13th-century camp, fire performances, tournaments, archery workshops, medieval markets, and craft stalls.

Under the direction of Jean-Pierre Dermit, the event grew and evolved, attracting nearly 50,000 visitors by 2014. After a break due to the health crisis, “Biot et les Templiers” will return on April 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2025, with even more performances, entertainment, reenactments, and magic, offering an immersive experience in the fascinating world of the Templars.