A long time ago when Biarritz have not had time to fancy the vacationers from all over the world, this southern French town was the usual fishing village.

Everything changed in the 19th century when the French Emperor Napoleon III came to this region for a vacation. And after a while, the region became a prestigious seaside resort where rich aristocrats could improve their health. Thanks to Napoleon, the fame of Biarritz scattered throughout Europe.

At the same time, the former fishing village began to grow rapidly. By order of Napoleon, a Villa was built here for his wife Eugenie. However, in our time it has been converted into a luxury hotel.

Eugenia spent quite a lot of time in Biarritz, so she wanted to build a chapel near the Villa. The Empress's wish was quickly granted. The chapel appeared in the middle of the 19th century. The locals called it "Imperial".

The Imperial chapel is an example of a harmonious combination of external and internal contents. Even though the chapel does not have a single style of execution, it does not look absurd. The architect skillfully combined the Roman-Byzantine style with the Spanish-Moorish.

The blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, a patron Saint of Latin America and Mexico, is also the patron Saint of the Church. This choice was due to the fact that at that time France was at war with Mexico. The chapel was a kind of atonement for the bloodshed.

The Church is made of brick. Its interior design features enameled medallions and ornaments, as well as ceramic items that are often found in the Byzantine culture.

In the 1980s, the chapel was included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of France.

The temple is still open to tourists every Saturday. The exception is the memorial dates (the days of the death of Napoleon III and his family, the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe).