Imperial Chapel

Our opinion

Very discreet, the imperial chapel stands out as one of the most beautiful jewels of Biarritz, where the ambitions of Eugènie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, mingle with great history. Built in 1864, decorated in a Hispano-Moorish style with innumerable bees, azulejos and other Mexican frescoes, the chapel was initially a whim of the Empress.

Details of the activity

Built in 1865 near their summer villa, the Imperial Chapel served as a place of worship for Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, who had entrusted its construction to the architect Boeswillwald. This chapel is characterized by its Hispano-Moorish and Romano-Bysantine style. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico, in memory of the war that France was then waging in this country. Classified as a historical monument since 1981, the chapel is the property of the city of Biarritz, which opens it to visitors and celebrates four masses there every year: January 9 for the anniversary of the death of Napoleon III June 1 for that of the death of the Prince Imperial July 11 for that of Empress Eugénie and December 12 for the feast of Our Lady of Gualdalupe.

Opening information