Saint Louis

des invalides

2, avenue de Tourville, 75007 Paris

The Hotel des Invalides was completed in 1676 and housed up to 4,000 war veterans. Originally only a number of barracks were planned to accomodate injured soldiers, but king Louis XIV chose a design by architect Liberal Bruant which consisted of a large impressive building with a royal courtyard and church. The church Saint-Louis was added as an annex to the complex. It was built by Jules Hardouin Mansart after the design by Libéral Bruant, the architect of the Hôtel des Invalides. The church was known as the pensioners' Choir but later referred to as the Soldiers' church. Soldiers were required to attend the daily mass here. The church is connected directly with the Royal chapel, better known as the Dôme des Invalides, separated by a glass wall. The 107- metre high dome of the Royal chapel was completed in 1690, the chapel itself in 1735.

E6 1687 The instrument was originally built by Alexandre Thierry (4 manuals and 37 stops). The design of the magnificent case of Saint-Louis-des- Invalides (one of the few Louis-XIV style buffets in Paris) is attributed to Jules Hardouin-Mansart and executed by the cabinetmaker Germain Pilon. The Positif and Grand- Orgue are superimposed instead of being separated by the console. 1693/1718 Julien Tribuot added a 4' Flute to the Pedal in 1693 and a 4' Clairon to the Pedal in 1718. 1761 Works by François-Henri Clicquot: • Positive: removed the Voix Humaine from the Positif, replaced with a Basse de Cromorne and a Dessus de Trompette • GO: Flute 4 becomes Flute 8 • Echo: the cymbal is replaced by an Flûte 8. 1806 Severely damaged in an explosion at the Grenelle powder storage, it remained out of service until the church was reopened for worship in 1806, when it was restored by the organbuilder Somer who increased the range of keyboards. 1853 Complete reconstruction on three manuals/pedal by Charles Gadault, distorting the original sound aesthetic. He removed the Plein Jeu stops of the Grand Orgue, the double Tierce, the Quarte and the two Tierce of the GO and Positif. Instead, he installed an Swell and an independent console. New stops in the Récit Flûte harmonique 8, Flûte octaviante 4, Cor anglais 8, Trompette 8, Hautbois 8; to the pedal the addition of a Bombarde 16. The restored organ has 41 stops spread over 3 manuals of 54 notes and a pedalboard. 1897 Overhaul by Bonneau and Béasse in 1897. 1921 John-Mary Abbey of Versailles installed an electric blower and replaced the console. 1955-1957/1962 Reconstruction of the instrument by Beuchet-Debierre. All the windchests were redone, the transmissions were changed, as well as the console whose keyboards were increased to 61 notes. Partial revoicing, changes/shifts of some games, modifications of the full stops and the expressive box of the Récit. He reintegrated 11 stops from Thierry's original organ and 15 stops placed by Gadault, mainly reeds and flutes in the pedal. 1980 New work carried out by Beuchet-Debierre. Replacement of the stops draught registers, dusting of the piping, general agreement and addition of 2 chamade stops placed on the cornice, on either side of the case. 2012 In 2012, Dagassies completed extensive maintenance and restoration work on the instrument. In the Récit, the Plein jeu has now only 3 ranks and the Cymbal 2 ranks.

A photo on which you can see the old console before the work of Beuchet A drawing probaly made by Germain Pillon during the construction of the organ

1687 - Thierry (1) 1693/1718 - Julien Tribuot (2) 1761 - Clicquot (5) 1806 - Somer (5) 1853 - Gadault (3a) 1897 - Bonneau & Béasse (6) 1921 - Abbey (5) 1957/62/80 - Beuchet-Debierre (3a) 2012 - Dargassies (6)

III/58 (54) - traction électrique

composition

Organiste titulaire Susan Landale, Philippe Brandeis & Eric Ampeau Famous organists in the past: Bernard Gavoty ( 1942-1980), François Tricot Concerts Occasionnaly Masses with organ Sunday, 11:00 AM Videos Philippe Brandeis Thierry Escaich Photo case: Jeroen de Haan

The organs of Paris

Saint Louis

des invalides

2, avenue de Tourville, 75007 Paris

E6 1687 The instrument was originally built by Alexandre Thierry (4 manuals and 37 stops). The design of the magnificent case of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides (one of the few Louis-XIV style buffets in Paris) is attributed to Jules Hardouin-Mansart and executed by the cabinetmaker Germain Pilon. The Positif and Grand-Orgue are superimposed instead of being separated by the console. 1693/1718 Julien Tribuot added a 4' Flute to the Pedal in 1693 and a 4' Clairon to the Pedal in 1718. 1761 Works by François-Henri Clicquot: • Positive: removed the Voix Humaine from the Positif, replaced with a Basse de Cromorne and a Dessus de Trompette • GO: Flute 4 becomes Flute 8 • Echo: the cymbal is replaced by an Flûte 8. 1806 Severely damaged in an explosion at the Grenelle powder storage, it remained out of service until the church was reopened for worship in 1806, when it was restored by the organbuilder Somer who increased the range of keyboards. 1853 Complete reconstruction on three manuals/pedal by Charles Gadault, distorting the original sound aesthetic. He removed the Plein Jeu stops of the Grand Orgue, the double Tierce, the Quarte and the two Tierce of the GO and Positif. Instead, he installed an Swell and an independent console. New stops in the Récit Flûte harmonique 8, Flûte octaviante 4, Cor anglais 8, Trompette 8, Hautbois 8; to the pedal the addition of a Bombarde 16. The restored organ has 41 stops spread over 3 manuals of 54 notes and a pedalboard. 1897 Overhaul by Bonneau and Béasse in 1897. 1921 John-Mary Abbey of Versailles installed an electric blower and replaced the console. 1955-1957/1962 Reconstruction of the instrument by Beuchet-Debierre. All the windchests were redone, the transmissions were changed, as well as the console whose keyboards were increased to 61 notes. Partial revoicing, changes/shifts of some games, modifications of the full stops and the expressive box of the Récit. He reintegrated 11 stops from Thierry's original organ and 15 stops placed by Gadault, mainly reeds and flutes in the pedal. 1980 New work carried out by Beuchet-Debierre. Replacement of the stops draught registers, dusting of the piping, general agreement and addition of 2 chamade stops placed on the cornice, on either side of the case. 2012 In 2012, Dagassies completed extensive maintenance and restoration work on the instrument. In the Récit, the Plein jeu has now only 3 ranks and the Cymbal 2 ranks.