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The Sorbonne Chapel is located in the Sorbonne
University Complex. Since the Middle Ages, the
Sorbonne College has been equipped with a
chapel. It was a Gothic building in Latin cross, the
layout of which can still be seen in the courtyard of
the present-day Sorbonne. Rebuilt in the 17th
century by Jacques Lemercier (1585-1654) on the
orders of Richelieu, the Sorbonne chapel is
distinguished on the outside by an original façade,
and its elegant dome. The chapel, which was
looted during the Revolution, now contains almost
no decorations. However, an altar topped with a
Christ on the cross dating from the Restoration is
visible next to the cardinal's tomb.
A1
The organ of the Sorbonne Chapel was commissioned by
Pierre-François Dallery in 1825. However, it was Pierre-
François Dallery's son, Louis-Paul (1797-1875) who
carried out the work. The organ was inaugurated on July
10, 1825. After the chapel reopened in 1852 at the time
of Napoleon III, the new chapel master, Félix Clément, an
official organ expert, had the instrument restored by
Louis-Paul Dallery himself. It was this one, presumably,
who installed the German-like pedal in 1854 that still
exists to this day. Felix Clément resigned in 1859, and the
organ was now silenced. Its access was made more
difficult by the removal in 1885 of the staircase which
provided direct access to the tribune, outside the chapel.
In 1983, Dargassies performed a cleaning and an
inventarisation: the organ was already disabled and
more than half of the pipes were lacking at that time;
this proportion has increased even more the past years.
Currently, an association works to its restoration, which
would be really desirable given the authenticity and
quality of the organ.
Site of the organ
Video of the organ
Organs of Paris
ORGANS OF PARIS © 2023 Vincent Hildebrandt ALL ORGANS
A1
The organ of the Sorbonne Chapel was commissioned by
Pierre-François Dallery in 1825. However, it was Pierre-
François Dallery's son, Louis-Paul (1797-1875) who carried
out the work. The organ was inaugurated on July 10, 1825.
After the chapel reopened in 1852 at the time of Napoleon
III, the new chapel master, Félix Clément, an official organ
expert, had the instrument restored by Louis-Paul Dallery
himself. It was this one, presumably, who installed the
German-like pedal in 1854 that still exists to this day. Felix
Clément resigned in 1859, and the organ was now silenced.
Its access was made more difficult by the removal in 1885
of the staircase which provided direct access to the tribune,
outside the chapel.
In 1983, Dargassies performed a cleaning and an
inventarisation: the organ was already disabled and more
than half of the pipes were lacking at that time;
this proportion has increased even more the past years.
Currently, an association works to its restoration, which
would be really desirable given the authenticity and quality
of the organ.
Site of the organ
Video of the organ