Even in the 19th century, the present-day city of
Paris was only a series of small towns in the
countryside, apart from medieval Paris. In 1824, the
village of Batignolles had five thousand inhabitants
and depended on Clichy. It was decided to build a
church; a subscription was launched. The small sum
raised only allowed the erection of a chapel
completed in 1829. But the population continued to
grow and the chapel was enlarged by Paul-Eugène
Lequeux (1806-1873). Respecting the Latin cross
shape, it had the two aisles, the transept and the
choir added, completed in 1851. The building is
inspired by the ancient Roman basilica. Its porch
resembles that of a Greek temple. The interior bears
the mark of the churches built under the
Restoration: Sainte-Marie-des-Batignolles is a sober,
almost severe church. Fortunately, a flat ceiling with
painted compartments and a superb 19th-century
choir with a magnificent sculpted retable break this
sobriety and embellish the building.
Organiste titulaire
Simon Prunet-Foch
Famous organists in the past: André Messager, Henti
Busser (holders of the former Stoltz organ), Joseph
Bonnet, Joachim Havard de la Montagne.
Concerts
Occasionally
Messes avec orgue
Saturday at 6 p.m., Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Vidéos
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It was in 1923 that the current instrument was
installed by Charles Mutin. This new instrument was
followed by a small 16-stop Merklin organ installed in
the choir and used transiently, the old great organ
having become unplayable. The great organ Mutin
Cavaillé-Coll was restored by Gloton-Debierre in 1936.
In 1947, Beuchet-Debierre undertook a major
restoration and transformation that led to an
inaugural concert by Maurice Duruflé. From the 1960s
on, the instrument slowly degraded and became
completely unusable in 1982. In 1992, after a decade
of silence , it was finally restored by Bernard
Dargessies, who added 7 stops. Note that the small
buffet in the center of the railing is dummy and
recalls the presence of an earlier organ.
Texte et photo console: Thierry Correard