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Origin and history

The Church of St. Eugénie is a Catholic church located in Solferino, in the Landes. It was built between 1859 and 1860 under the impulse of Napoleon III, to serve his imperial domain founded in 1857. Dedicated to Eugénie de Rome, patron saint of Empress Eugénie de Montijo, she embodies the link between imperial power and religion in this region.

The date of construction, 1860, is attested by a medallion on the entrance porch. In 1862, the church became a branch. It remained imperial property until 1905, when it was sold by the Empress to Monsieur Lebert. Repurchased in 1920 by Mrs Schneider, it was restored before becoming private property until 1993, when it was symbolically transferred to the commune.

In a neo-Roman style, the building features a unique nave and a square bell tower topped by an octagonal arrow. Its interior, illuminated by lancettes and a rosette, houses commemorative stained glass windows. The one above the altar bears the motto "Aratro et Altari" ("By the Charrue and by the Altar"), illustrating the alliance between agriculture and spirituality, with motifs of wheat, sunflower or vine. Two side windows represent the initials of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie.

Major restoration works, financed by the EU, the State, the Department and the parish, allow its inauguration in 1995 by the Bishop of Dax, Robert Sarrabère. These renovations gave the church its central role in local life, while preserving its imperial and architectural heritage.

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