Within this framework, six dessus de violon, four hautes-contre de violon, four tailles de violon, and four quintes de violon were reconstructed. These instruments are now available to professional ensembles and conservatoire classes wishing to make use of them. All the instruments are strung entirely with gut strings of equal tension.

A unique heritage reconstruction project in France, Les Vingt-Quatre Violons have been performed by ensembles such as Les Arts Florissants, Les Agrémens, Capriccio Stravagante, Les Folies Françoises, Le Poème Harmonique, La Simphonie du Marais, and the Orchestre des Musiques Anciennes et à Venir, among others. They have also been used in large-scale educational projects in collaboration with French and international conservatoires (CNSMDP, Royal College of Music, etc.).

The Centre de musique baroque de Versailles is currently undertaking the reconstruction of six basses de violon to complete the existing violins and violas; these new instruments are due to be completed in 2026 and 2027. At the same time, French bows of various historical models will also be produced in 2025 and 2026 to accompany the full ensemble of the Twenty-Four Violins.

CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN: BRINGING THE VINGT-QUATRE VIOLONS DU ROI BACK TO LIFE

The Centre de musique baroque de Versailles is launching a crowdfunding campaign to complete the reconstruction of the Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi, an orchestra that disappeared over 300 years ago. Six bass viols and twenty-eight bows are still needed to restore this emblem of French music.



A Unique Reconstruction
The CMBV is dedicated to recreating these long-lost instruments through the collaboration of luthiers, researchers and musicians. The final stage of the project involves crafting six bass viols and a set of twenty-eight French bows, thereby restoring the orchestra’s full instrumentation.

A Collective Challenge
To bring this exceptional heritage back to life, the CMBV is calling on public support. The goal is to raise €40,000 by 31 December 2025. Every contribution brings us closer to the revival of this legendary orchestra and helps preserve a vital chapter of French musical history.

Donations are 66% tax-deductible for individuals

MAKE A DONATION

Members of the Steering Committee for the “Basses de violon” Project

Expert Committee:

• Elena Andreyev
  Cellist, Professor at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Départemental de Paris and at a CMA
• Bruno Cocset
  Cellist, Professor at the CNSMD in Paris
• Tormod Dalen
  Cellist, Professor at the CRR in Versailles
• Hervé Douchy
  Cellist, Professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels
• Alban Framboisier
  Research Engineer at the CNRS
• Alain Gervreau
  Cellist and researcher, Professor of Historical Cello at the Royal Conservatoire (Flemish) of Brussels (K.C.B.) and at the CRR in Besançon
• Michael Greenberg
  Double bassist
• Hager Hanana
  Cellist
• Adriana Isaku
  Cellist, Project Officer for the “Basses de violon” Project at the CMBV
• Étienne Mangot
  Cellist, Professor at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Départemental de Limoges

Additional experts consulted for the project:

• Anne-Emmanuelle Ceulemans
  Doctor of Musicology, Université catholique de Louvain (Louvain-la-Neuve); Curator of European String Instruments at the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum), Brussels
• Mirte Maes
  Curator at the Museum Vleeshuis, Antwerp
• Marc Vanscheeuwijck
  Cellist, Doctor of Musicology, Professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels, Early Music Department
• Elena Andreyev
• Bruno Cocset
• Tormod Dalen
• Hervé Douchy
• Alban Framboisier
• Alain Gervraut
• Michael Greenberg 
• Hager Hanana 
• Étienne Mangot

Project Officer and Coordinator: Adriana Isaku

The reconstruction of the basses de violon for the Vingt-Quatre Violons du Roi has been made possible thanks to the support of Crédit Agricole Île-de-France and the Fondation Crédit Agricole Pays-de-France, principal patron of the project.