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Monument to Eugenie de Montijo on the summit of Larrun
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Monument to Eugenie de Montijo on the summit of Larrun
Monument to Eugenie de Montijo on the summit of Larrun (La Rhune), a mountain at the western end of the Pyrenees. It is located on the border of France and Spain, where the traditional Basque provinces of Labourd and Navarra meet. The mountain started to become a popular destination for tourists following Eugenie de Montijos holidays in Biarritz since 1864, and her outings to its summit. Eugenie was Empress of the French from her marriage to Emperor Napoleon III on 30 January 1853 until the Emperor was overthrown on 4 September 1870. Empress Eugenie climbed the Rhune in 1859. The party travelled to and from Biarritz by horse carriage and then on the back of mules up the mountain, stopping for a large lunch half-way up. This was followed by dancing and an exhibition match of pelota and the party arrived on the summit at dusk. The monument to this event originally had a bronze eagle on the top (as shown here) but this was removed in 1940, to be used for German munitions. Date: circa 1920s
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Media ID 23460380
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
1859 Ascent Basque Bronze Climb Climbed Countess Eagle Empress Eugenie Marchioness Montijo Navarra Obelisk Peak Provinces Pyrenees Summit Labourd Teba
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Monument to Empress Eugenie de Montijo on the Summit of Larrun (La Rhune): A Symbol of Imperial Grandeur and Basque Tradition This evocative photograph captures the Monument to Empress Eugenie de Montijo, situated atop the summit of Larrun (La Rhune), a mountain straddling the border between France and Spain. The traditional Basque provinces of Labourd and Navarra converge at this western end of the Pyrenees, where the mountain has long been a popular tourist destination. Empress Eugenie, the wife of Emperor Napoleon III, first visited Biarritz in 1864, and her frequent ascents to the Rhune summit ignited renewed interest in the mountain among tourists. In 1859, she made a memorable journey to the summit, traveling by horse carriage from Biarritz and then ascending on the backs of mules. The party enjoyed a large lunch halfway up, followed by dancing, pelota exhibitions, and arrived at the summit as dusk fell. The monument commemorating this event was erected in the late 19th century and originally featured a bronze eagle at its pinnacle. The eagle, symbolizing imperial power, was removed during World War II to be melted down for German munitions. This photograph, taken in the 1920s, captures the monument's timeless beauty and the enduring allure of the mountain and its rich history. Empress Eugenie's ascent to the Rhune summit stands as a testament to her grace, the imperial grandeur of the Second French Empire, and the captivating allure of the Basque Country.
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