A trade of enthusiasts: the glassblowers

Glass does not exist without its master glassblower. Each creation requires special attention, concentration. The master-glassblower is a magician who uses the secrets of earth and fire to create glass!
He is also a craftsman and a great artist: the originality of an approach, an innate sense of volumes and surfaces, and constant creativity.
The “gamins” or apprentice glassblowers are between 16 and 18 years of age when they are hired at La Verrerie de Biot. They then undergo training passing through 7 successive stages or grades becoming master glassblowers at the end of 8 to 10 years. The organisation of the work takes into account the apprenticeship with the ultimate aim that each “gamin” should become a master glassblower. If the latter has the ability and desire to create, to express his artistic talent through glass, everything is done to help him till he is ready to fend for himself.



Not to be missed
The glassblowers’ studio (Free admission)
15 master glassblowers draw the living substance from the fire, blow, create and model unique objects before visitors´ eyes
Since the hall was opened in 1956, the general public has been able to visit it, encouraged to understand the mysteries of glass manufacture in Biot and admire the craftsmen’s know-how.

"The master glassblowers in La Verrerie de Biot are proud to demonstrate their know-how and pass it on to the “gamins” apprentices,” explains Anne Lechaczynski.