La Chaise-Dieu Abbey, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, is renowned for its Flemish Renaissance tapestries, the painting "La danse macabre," its 17th-century organ, and its annual music festival and organ event in August. The abbey's archives mention the construction of an organ in 1683, attributed to an unknown builder. The "small case" organ, linked to Hyacinthe Serroni, reflects the Baroque period's opulence. Despite its limited 14-stop Positif, the organ remained unfinished due to the abbot's bankruptcy in 1687.

In 1727, under Cardinal Rohan's abbacy, Parisian organ builder Marin Carouge completed the organ, resulting in an instrument with approximately 40 stops across four manuals and a pedalboard. The large organ case, likely repurposed from another organ, features statues of musical angels and exhibits high-quality craftsmanship. Throughout the 18th century, the organ underwent several modifications, including changes to the windchest.

The organ faced deterioration during the revolutionary period and various incomplete restoration attempts until the 20th century. A significant revival occurred in 1966, led by pianist Cziffra, culminating in a major reconstruction by organ builder Dunand in 1976. However, the organ quickly deteriorated again, leading to another restoration by Michel Garnier between 1990 and 1995. This restoration revived the organ's full brilliance, preserving its French classical style with 40 ranks and four manual keyboards. The abbey's acoustics, enhanced by its tapestries, allow the organ to perform a wide repertoire, particularly favoring the French organ school of the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as Bach and the German repertoire.

Additionals: Tremblant doux (Soft tremulant), GO/P

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