[1] Originally founded by keyboardist and primary songwriter, Charles de Boisseguin as a solo project,[2] the project expanded to its initial lineup consisting of keyboardist Hagni Gwon, bassist David Gaugué, guitarist Achille Trocellier and drummer Tom Daveau as an instrumental act, until the addition of lead vocalist, Flore Benguigui to the group in 2015, making her debut on the group's third EP, Odyssée, which significantly raised the group's profile internationally following its release.

A few months following the release of Pulsar, Benguigui announced she had left L'Impératrice,[5] citing mental health and alleged mistreatment directed towards her by members of the group and their management throughout her time in the project, as the main reasons for the separation.

The latter was re-edited a year later under the name L'Empereur, in a slower version of the original, inspired by a fan's mistake of playing the album at the wrong speed.

[18][16] On 21 June 2018, during the Fête de la Musique, the band performed at the French National Assembly.

On 1 October 2024, French pop-artist, Maud Ferron (known professionally as Louve) was announced as the group's new singer.