Located in a former Anglican church, the Biarritz Historical Museum was set up in 1986 by the Association of Friends of Old Biarritz as a concrete expression of their intention to revive interest in the city's past.
The porch houses a memorial to the English who fell in the Napoleonic wars, particularly in the battles which took place in and around Biarritz in 1814. On the lower right-hand side there is the family tree of the Bonapartes.
In the chancel are assembled items relating to the Second Empire, notably the original doors of the Villa Eugènie, the summer residence which the imperial couple had built in Biarritz, and which was destroyed by fire in 1903 – the house was subsequently restored. Other objects on show are: a model of the imperial train; a silk tapestry taken at the time of the China campaign in 1860; a tea set; books; photographs; and a bronze sculpture of the Prince Imperial. Military history is also represented, with a flag of the 40th battalion of the Guard, and a flag of the 1st regiment of the Grenadiers from the time of the Sedan catastrophe, which the soldiers shredded so as to prevent it falling into enemy hands.
In front of the chancel and in the centre of the nave, there is a small case containing memorabilia relating to (or owned by) the imperial family, notably: a drawing by, and a glove belonging to, the Imperial Prince; a handwritten letter and shawl which once belonged to the Empress; a painting of Napoleon III from Winterhalter's studio; and medals and items of jewelry.
K.H.
Trans. P.H.
Biarritz Historical Museum
