Organ Concerts - Saint Eustache

So, most people don't know about the many free concerts that happen in the churches around the city come Sunday.  But there you have it.  Especially the places that have organs.  A lucky few manage to stumble into Notre Dame on a Sunday at 430 to the welcome of  Bach or Liszt filling the cathedral.  It is a shame to think of all the people that miss out on it, it is quite an experience.
Auditions d’orgue - Notre Dame de Paris

But there are a lot of visitors to the cathedral on Sundays and the place is completely packed, whether people know about the short concert or not.  So I will guide you to a lesser known church with lesser known organ concerts.  Welcome to L'église Saint Eustache.  Located towards the center of town in an area known as Les Halles at the end of Rue Montorgueil (or the start?).  Definitely an area that I need to go back an explore.  When I'm not so cold or broke.  The church boasts the oldest bell in Paris ( from the beginning of the 14th c. and which was ringing nicely during part of the concert) and, with 8000 pipes, an organ BIGGER than Notre Dame!

The church is smaller than Notre Dame, and seemed to be undergoing some restoration work when I was there, but it is gorgeous church.  The same vaulted ceiling as Notre Dame, and brightly painted and mosaic-ed alcoves along the side.  Very beautiful, especially when a little dark outside and lit inside by the soft lighting of chandeliers and candles.

The concerts here are every Sunday at 5:30pm
Auditions d'Orgue - Saint Eustache

Photo Site

And then I enjoyed a nice walk home down some small, empty streets of Paris on a cold Sunday night.  Listened to Miles Davis on my ipod and warmed myself up with a hot nutella crêpe.  It was quite pleasant :)

~Nikki