Traditionally seen as a counter-model, the Italian musical style actually had a substantial impact on the forming of the French musical style. Italian musicians were on French soil due to circumstance and historical events (Mazarin was Minister during the Regency of Philippe ii Duc d’Orléans in the late 18th century), but influence also came directly from Italy, the result of a constant flow of musical material (airs, cantata, operas, sonatas and concertos) during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. The work carried out at the CMBV over the last two decades has considerably increased understanding of the Italian influence in France: findings related to the identification, transmission and circulation of the repertoire; research into musical skills and practices (composers, musicians and singers); and the acceptance and assimilation of the Italian musical language.