Bernard AUBERTIN, born in 1952, is one of the world’s leading organ builders. His status has been recognized in his native country of France by the title Maître d’art Facture d’Orgues – a literal translation of which means "A Living Treasure"! This was conferred on him by the French Ministry of Culture and is the hightest accolade ever given by France to an organ builder. Bernard Aubertin’s family were restorers and makers of religious furniture for a number of centuries - a tradition that he now maintains in his own specialist way.

The young Bernard acquired his taste for woodcarving in his father’s workshop at Elvange in the Moselle and he subsequently became a student at the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts after leaving the Collége Saint-Augustin in Bitche. He then trained with several organ builders before starting his own firm at the age of 25. In 1994 he was awarded the Crédit du Nord “Old French Houses” Prize for the restoration of the ancient 12th century Priory of Courtefontaine which is his secluded base situated midway between Besançon and Dôle.

Although Bernard Aubertin’s work is to be found in many countries as far a field as Japan, his first commission in the United Kingdom was awarded to him in 2001 by the ancient Scottish University of Aberdeen. The University Chapel of King’s College became the home in 2004 of a fine organ of classical design and traditional craftsmanship – in keeping with the original concept of the 500 year old chapel. In 2006 the University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor honoris causa.

To date, the magnum opus of the Aubertin House is to be found in the central Paris church of Saint-Louis-en-l’Isle which was inaugurated in 2005. For this great instrument the City of Paris awarded him by presenting him with the Grande Médaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris. In the 2007 New Year Honours, M. Chirac invested Bernard as Chevalier, Legion d’Honneur (red ribbon) – the highest accolade given in France by the President of the Republic.






To see 293 pictures of the Saint-Louis organ growing in the workshops and then finally rising in the great church in Paris, visit:
http://forumorgue.free.fr/phpwebgallery/category.php?cat=1&expand=

Manufacture d'Orgues Bernard Aubertin S.A.S.
L'ancien Prieuré
F-39700 Courtefontaine, France

Tel + 33 (0) 3 84 81 32 66
Fax + 33 (0) 3 84 71 19 42

orgues.aubertin@wanadoo.fr