Designed by Louis Coroller as an executive transport, the prototype Potez 56 made its first flight on 18 June 1934. Largely of wood construction, the Potez 56 was a cantilever low-wing monoplane with a wing section based on that of the Potez 53 racer, and with a single fin and rudder. It had exceptionally clean lines, the main landing gear units retracting backwards into the nacelles of the two Potez 9Ab radial engines. There was accommodation for a crew of two in an enclosed cockpit, with a cabin for six passengers. Early tests confirmed that the Potez 56 had good flight qualities and was remarkably stable.

Series production included at least three Potez 561 aircraft, with variable-pitch propellers to improve take-off, aerodynamically refined engine nacelles and revised cockpit windows.

Military versions followed, for use in the carrierborne liaison, general utility, target tug, and twin-engine pilot training roles. Total production of all versions, military and civil, was 72, the final examples being two Potez 568 P.3 aircraft, the last of a batch that was completed at the time of the June 1940 armistice with Germany.