Great organ of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Pipe organ in Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France.
The instrument features approximately 8,000 pipes organized into 116 stops distributed across five keyboards, producing a wide range of sounds from soft melodies to powerful harmonies.
Built in 1868 by French organ maker Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, the instrument replaced a previous organ from 1733 and has undergone several restorations throughout its history.
The organ has accompanied countless religious ceremonies, state funerals, and royal weddings, serving as a central element in Parisian liturgical and musical traditions for over a century.
The instrument survived the 2019 fire without flame damage but required extensive cleaning to remove lead dust and moisture accumulated during the emergency response efforts.
During the French Revolution, organists reportedly played La Marseillaise on this instrument despite the period's religious upheaval, demonstrating its role beyond purely liturgical functions.
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