Choir organ of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, Pipe organ in Notre-Dame Cathedral, France.
The choir organ of Notre-Dame Cathedral is a pipe organ of thirty stops on two keyboards and a pedalboard, with two thousand pipes, set on the north side of the choir above the stalls. Its dark carved wood case frames three groups of silver pipes, the central one tallest, over pointed arches and three relief panels with oval scenes. Robert Boisseau built the current instrument in 1969.
The organ case dates from 1863 and was designed by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The pipe mechanism was rebuilt in 1969 by Robert Boisseau, following several earlier instruments created by different builders over time.
The organ sits above the choir stalls on the north side of the choir, where it was heard in dialogue with the singers rather than as a constant accompaniment: it answered the chant or played alone, improvising on the melodic motifs. Since the 2019 fire it has been out of use, soaked by water, and awaits restoration.
The instrument sustained water damage during the 2019 cathedral fire and is currently undergoing reconstruction as part of the cathedral's broader restoration. Visitors can observe the progress on future visits as work continues toward completion in 2026.
The organ has thirty stops, two keyboards and a pedalboard, with two thousand pipes. It stands above the choir stalls on the north side of the choir. During the fire of 15 April 2019 the flames spared it, but it took on water so heavily that years may pass before it can be used again.
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