Orthodox Church

The Orthodox church, in Biarritz

The Orthodox church of Biarritz is a moving witness of the passage of the Russian aristocracy on the Basque coast, at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century. The Biarritz audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this Orthodox sanctuary, reflection of the craze of the high Russian society for the resort, that made the journey from Saint Petersburg to stay and be treated there.

The witness of Russian Biarritz

You may not know it, but the city of Biarritz is dotted with some Russian touches, here and there. The Orthodox church you have in front of you, to be discovered with respect, is a fine witness of the passage of the Russian aristocracy at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century. Everything began when the princely couple of Oldenburg came to visit Napoleon III in 1859, to thank him after the peace treaty of the Crimean War, signed in Paris. Come with a court of fifty people, the couple launched a true craze: the word of mouth spread quickly in the high Russian society, that did not delay to arrive in Biarritz, all the more so as the arrival of the railway greatly facilitated the journey, now possible in only a week. Artists, members of the imperial court, great bourgeois, military men and writers rushed into the palaces of the city. Many also came to be treated, at the beginning of the climatic movement that praised the benefits of the sea air. To answer the spiritual needs of this community, an Orthodox church was built, surmounted by a characteristic dome. Inside, in the calm conducive to contemplation, you discover fine icons, gilding and an atmosphere imbued with spirituality. An Orthodox sanctuary and a Russian memory, the Orthodox church is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, an Orthodox church with a characteristic dome, a fine witness of the passage of the Russian aristocracy in Biarritz at the end of the nineteenth century; born from the craze of the high Russian society for the resort, come by railway to stay and be treated, it shelters fine icons and a spiritual atmosphere. The Orthodox church is a witness of Russian Biarritz. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Orthodox church lies in the district of the old hotels of Biarritz, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect; entry and hours follow the conditions in force, which vary, and may be restricted during services. It is best to enquire before coming.

Why is there an Orthodox church in Biarritz?

Because at the end of the nineteenth century, the high Russian society fell in love with Biarritz, following the visit of the princely couple of Oldenburg to Napoleon III in 1859; facilitated by the railway, the Russian aristocracy came in numbers to stay and be treated, and an Orthodox church was built to answer its spiritual needs, to be discovered with respect.

Where is the Orthodox church in Biarritz?

In the district of the old hotels of Biarritz, in France.