Chapelle de la Villa Algérienne, Moorish Revival chapel in L'Herbe, Lège-Cap-Ferret, France.
The Chapelle de la Villa Algérienne is a chapel featuring Moorish Revival architecture on the Arcachon basin shore. Its design showcases geometric patterns, horseshoe arches, and decorative tilework that define its distinctive character.
Leon Lesca commissioned the chapel in 1884 as part of a larger estate project following his return from Algeria. The building was created during a period when North African influences were shaping European architectural tastes.
The chapel displays a blend of European and North African traditions in its interior details. Visitors can notice both Latin and Arabic inscriptions on the walls, reflecting this cultural exchange.
The chapel is open to visitors on a regular basis and can be explored at your own pace. For specific details about visiting hours and guided tours, it is best to contact the local tourist office.
The bell tower features both a cross and a crescent as architectural elements. These symbols illustrate how Christian and Islamic influences were deliberately combined in a single structure.
Location: Lège-Cap-Ferret
Inception: 1884
Architects: Eugène Ormières
Architectural style: Moorish Revival architecture
GPS coordinates: 44.68624,-1.23538
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
The Bassin d'Arcachon covers 155 square kilometers along the French Atlantic coast and offers numerous subjects for photography. The Dune du Pilat rises 110 meters above sea level and forms the tallest sand dune in Europe. Oyster farming villages such as Gujan-Mestras, L'Herbe, and Le Canon display wooden huts on stilts distributed along the shores. The Cap Ferret peninsula separates the basin from the Atlantic and presents long sandy beaches on both sides. The Cap Ferret lighthouse from 1947 reaches a height of 53 meters. The Île aux Oiseaux sits in the center of the basin and hosts two traditional stilt cabins, the Cabanes Tchanquées, which are surrounded by water at high tide. The town of Arcachon displays 19th-century villas in the Ville d'Hiver, a district with over 300 buildings in Belle Époque style. The Domaine de Certes et Graveyron nature reserve includes former salt marshes and fish ponds now inhabited by herons, spoonbills, and other water birds. The beaches of Pereire and Pyla-sur-Mer provide direct views of the basin and nearby pine forests.
Cap-Ferret lighthouse
4.6 km
Mimbeau beach
4.5 km
Basilique Notre-Dame d'Arcachon
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Église Notre-Dame des Flots du Cap-Ferret
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Tramway du Cap-Ferret
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Plage de l'Horizon
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Blockhaus du phare du Cap Ferret
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Plage des Arbousiers
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Plage du Truc Vert
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Plage des Américains
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Plage de la Torchère
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Plage de la Vigne
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Jetée de la Chapelle
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Villa Alma
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Villa Plaisance
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Scenic viewpoint
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Plage_des_Jacquets
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Villa Saint-Yves
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Pereire Beach
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Chapelle des marins
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Croix des marins
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Scenic viewpoint
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Plage des Abatilles
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Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Pins du Piquey
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Plage des Américains
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Ile Aux Oiseaux (partie marine)
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Cap Carmmel
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