Sainte-Eugénie Church

The St. Eugénie's Church, in Biarritz

The St. Eugénie's Church is a majestic church of Gothic style that overlooks the ocean in the heart of Biarritz. The Biarritz audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this place of worship raised from 1854 on the site of a former chapel, dedicated to Saint Eugénie in tribute to the empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III.

The church of the empress Eugénie

Here is the magnificent Gothic church of Sainte-Eugénie, that majestically overlooks the ocean, to be discovered with respect. Before its construction stood here the chapel Notre-Dame-de-Pitié. The idea to build a new church, to host the growing number of faithful, goes back to the end of the eighteenth century. At that time, Biarritz was in the spotlight, and its main place of worship had to be worthy of its radiance. The construction began in 1854, in a fine Gothic style characteristic of the era, with its adorned façade, its arches and its slender bell tower. The church was dedicated to Saint Eugénie, the patroness of the empress of the French, Eugénie de Montijo. A few hours in Biarritz are enough to know the first name of the wife of Napoleon III, so much is she linked to the history of the city: it is she who, charmed by the site, helped to make Biarritz an imperial seaside resort. Coming from the high Spanish society, she married Napoleon III in 1853, shortly after his accession to the throne, in a union at once political, destined to strengthen the links between France and Spain. Inside, to be discovered in contemplation, the church reveals fine stained-glass windows, slender vaults and an organ, in a peaceful atmosphere. A Gothic church and an imperial tribute, the St. Eugénie's Church is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, a majestic Gothic church overlooking the ocean, raised from 1854 on the site of the former chapel Notre-Dame-de-Pitié, when Biarritz was becoming a fashionable resort; dedicated to Saint Eugénie in tribute to the empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, it shelters fine stained-glass windows and an organ. The St. Eugénie's Church is an emblematic sanctuary of Biarritz. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The St. Eugénie's Church stands on the square of the same name, overlooking the fishermen's port and the ocean, in the heart 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 the church of Biarritz dedicated to Saint Eugénie?

Because Saint Eugénie is the patroness of the empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, deeply linked to the history of Biarritz that she helped to transform into an imperial seaside resort; raised from 1854 in a fine Gothic style, on the site of the former chapel Notre-Dame-de-Pitié, the church majestically overlooks the ocean, and is discovered with respect.

Where is the St. Eugénie's Church in Biarritz?

On the Place Sainte-Eugénie, overlooking the fishermen's port and the ocean, in the heart of Biarritz, in France.