Orgue de tribune de la basilique Saint-Denis, Pipe organ in Basilique Saint-Denis, France
The organ sits on the west tribune of the Gothic Basilique Saint-Denis, with 69 stops spread across multiple divisions. This instrument remains fully playable and serves both religious services and concert performances.
The current organ was inaugurated in 1841 as the first major instrument built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. It introduced the innovative Barker lever mechanism, which fundamentally changed how organs were constructed during the 19th century.
Sacred music performances continue to define how this instrument sounds within the basilica. It exemplifies the French Romantic organ building style that shaped European craftsmanship.
Access to the organ comes through visiting the basilica during its regular opening hours. The best moments to hear the instrument playing are during scheduled religious services and concert performances held throughout the year.
This was one of the first organs to use groundbreaking technical solutions that organ builders across Europe copied. Its innovations in the 1840s demonstrate how a single basilica could influence the craft across an entire continent.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
