Not Just Food - Paul Bocuse brings you music from a former age 

By Mike K-H

Everyone with any interest in good food has heard of Paul Bocuse, but did you know about the restored barrel organ in his banqueting hall?

The Paul Bocuse restaurant is about 4Km north of Lyon, but he also runs a banqueting hall, l'Abbaye de Collonges, beside the Saône about 5Km from Lyon. A cocktail party or banquet here, catered for by the staff of the man who is probably the world's most famous chef, is an event no food lover would miss, but the food and atmosphere are not all.

In the time of our grandfathers, the Gralière family sold everything. They were wine merchants, bakers, wood merchants.... As a contribution to the enjoyment of the villagers at their Saturday night dances, they decided to order an exceptional mechanical organ. Built in 1900 by Gaudin, it simulates a 110 piece orchestra and comprises:

103 keys

20 registers

23 automatons

840 pipes

80 trumpets

2 bass drums

2 cymbals

2 castanets

1 xylophone

1 'metalophone', which I assume is a metal xylophone as opposed to a wooden one

In 1915, the store and the dance hall were requisitioned as a hospital for war casualties. The owner, fearing a German invasion, walled off the main part of the room, and everyone forgot about it until 1966.

When the new owners knocked down the wall, they found the organ and Marc Furnier set about restoring it. Many parts had to be replaced, such as the automatons, made of plane wood, which came from Germany.

Four years later, the organ was in full working order again and organ enthusiasts Paul Eynard and Arthur Prinsen edited new perforated cards for it, with many famous tunes. Since 1970 this rare instrument has brought joy to young and old, and given them a taste of days gone by.

Want to hold a wedding reception, run a fashion show, announce a new product, or thank your sales staff and their families? Or just take the family out to dinner? Check out the virtual tours and videos on the Paul Bocuse website. Even make a booking.

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