Has anyone tried out Rick Steve's suggestion of entering St. Sulpice on a Sunday just after noon and climbing the stairs to hear the organ around 12:30? Where exactly do the stairs take you in relation to the organ?

There was a thread on this maybe a month or two ago which you should be able to find by searching on "sulpice" or "organ" in France. Someone wanted to do that because her son was very interested in music, but I forget when she was going or if she could report by now.

I didn't think Rick Steves exactly suggested going up there to hear the organ. YOu can hear the organ during service and other recitals or concerts from down below and, in fact, that is where the acoustics would be better and where it is meant to be heard. I used to play organ in a church so wasn't that interested in going up there myself (maybe I got burned out by the whole church organ thing), although I've been there to hear it in concert. Daniel Roth is a very good organist and it's a good organ, but I think Rick's ideas were for music or organ groupies to talk to Mr. Roth, not just to hear the organ.

Go to
http://www.publifilm.com/sulpice/ if you'd like more information about this particular instrument.

A couple of summers ago we did follow Rick Steves directions and enjoyed the organ playing and went up the stairs after the service and met the organist. He was very pleasant and welcoming (although I would think it would get boring for him -- but he didn't act bored). I would recommend it to people who enjoy and are interested in organ music.

Hello, I was the one who asked about visiting St. Sulpice to hear the organ with my son. We have not been to Paris yet. We are leaving in about one month.

My son would also like to visit with Daniel Roth and see the organ up close, so we appreciate hearing any tips from others who have done this.
I will post about our experience when we return.