A group of Charbonnois, as early as 1987, began thinking about providing the community with a cultural and religious heritage capable of meeting these diverse requirements. With the advice of experienced organists, and the help of some renowned organ builders, the Association of Friends of the Charbonnières Organ, created in May 1993, opted for the construction of a 19-stop organ with suspended mechanical action. The so-called "transitional" musical aesthetic (early 19th century) was chosen due to the virtual non-existence of this type of instrument in the Lyon region. The organs throughout the Rhône department, installed in the churches of the Diocese, are in fact all post-1832, and belong either to the Romantic, Symphonic or German schools, or to a Baroque aesthetic, when it comes to small instruments.

The adoption of an expressive box was also decisive in better serving the liturgy, in its different forms.

The support of the parish and the diocese, then of the municipality and the Ministry of Culture, as well as numerous donors, enabled, after more than ten years of development, the completion of the project.

This gives birth, in this year 2000, centenary of the church of Charbonnières, to an exceptional instrument.

I believe I speak for the entire Charbonnières community, and even for the West of Lyon, in thanking very much all those who made the creation of this heritage possible.

I wish a long life to the Bernard HURVY organ of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, in Charbonnières-les-Bains, a life in the service of divine praise and music for all.

Jacques LOUIS,
Honorary President of the Association (*)

(*) Our friend Jacques LOUIS left us on January 31, 2021. We return to him tribute with a video where he explains to us the history of the organ in general (published with the kind permission of Christian THERON, President of the AAON).