Saint-Pierre-

de-Montmartre

2, rue du Mont-Cenis, 75018 Paris

This church is one of the oldest in Paris. Built on the site of a Roman temple and a Merovingian church dating from the 7th century, it was consecrated in 1147. Four black marble columns (two against the west wall, one at the entrance to the apse, and one in the north aisle) come from the original Merovingian building. The church is a fine example of the transitional period between Romanesque and early Gothic architecture. The choir features one of the first ribbed vaults in Paris (around 1147). The façade dates from the 17th century, and the bronze doors were made in 1980 by T. Gismondi. In the 1670s and early 1680s, music played an important role in the abbey’s religious life. Marc- Antoine Charpentier wrote devotional works to be performed there. During the Revolution, the Abbey of Montmartre was destroyed and the church, looted, was turned into a Temple of Reason. It was restored between 1899 and 1905 by the architect Sauvagot, and returned to worship in 1908. Since 1953, the church has been adorned with the magnificent stained-glass window by Max Ingrand.

C1 There was already an organ in the church at the end of the 18th century, but it disappeared during the French Revolution. The current organ case comes from the former Notre-Dame- de-Lorette (destroyed during the Revolution) or possibly from Saint-Pierre-des-Arcis, and dates from the late 18th century. Around 1820, the organ was installed at Saint-Pierre de Montmartre. Its builder and original specification remain unknown. In 1868–1869, Cavaillé-Coll built a new instrument, reusing the old case. At an unspecified date, Mutin added a 16’ Soubasse and a Plein Jeu (with pneumatic action), and also modified the console. In 1960, the instrument was restored by the Beuchet company (Picaud), who replaced the Plein Jeu. In 1991, it was cleaned and overhauled by Sebire & Glandaz. In 2018–2019, the organ was restored by the Plet firm of Troyes, with the addition of an 8’ Bass stop on the Pedal as an extension of the 16’.

Titular organist Michel Boédec Parish website Videos Michel Boédec