Second Empire, an architectural style most popular between 1865 and 1880, is named for the "French" elements in vogue during the era of the Second French Empire.
In a significant variation, it is sometimes called the Napoleon III style.
While a distinct style unto itself, some Second Empire styling cues, such as quoins, have an indirect relationship to the styles previously in vogue, Gothic Revival and Italianate eras.
This style had its first flowering in France under Napoleon III in the middle of the 19th century, but quickly developed and became an international style.
The best-known example of the style is the Palais Garnier in Paris, a mixture of Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque architecture.
