Saint-Eustache

2 Impasse Saint-Eustache, 75001 Paris

Gallery organ Choir organ >

The building of Saint-Eustache started in 1532 and ended in 1637. It is a masterpiece of late Gothic. architecture. A neoclassical facade was added on the western side in the mid-18th century. The interior is in Gothic, Renaissance and classical styles.

C1 The organ of St. Eustache was designed by Jean-Louis Coignet under the direction of Titular Organist Jean Guillou and built in 1989 by the Dutch firm Jan L. van den Heuvel, using the buffet of the former organ. That instrument was originally constructed by Ducroquet (Charles Spackmann Barker and Charles Verschneider), following the destruction of the former organ by a fire in 1844. The case was designed by Balthard (from Les Halles). It was rebuilt in 1879 by Joseph Merklin and renovated at the request of organist Joseph Bonnet during the 1920s and 1930s. Repair works initiated in 1978 were disastrous and a complete organ rebuilt was necessary. Only the case with its display pipes and a few stops which were re-used, amongst them the Cor de Basset 8' made by the famous English organ builder Henry Willis for Joseph Bonnet - organist of Saint Eustache from 1906 to 1943. 2010 The electronics were replaced with a state-of-the-art bus- technology system. At the movable nave console additional couplers were installed (Grand-Choeur/Positif, Solo/Positif en Grand-Choeur/Récit). Also several special melody couplers were added: Soprano Grand-Choeur/Pédale, Soprano Récit/Pédale en Basse Grand-Choeur/Pédale. A programmable pedal divide enhances the solistic possibilities of the pedal. A MIDI recording and playback system was added. 2021 Replacement of certain bellows, as well as aesthetic and mechanical modifications to the mobile console by Van den Heuvel. A restoration project is currently being prepared. Virtual visit