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Organs are living examples of heritage in towns and villages throughout Ille-et-Vilaine

With 170 organs on its inventory and fourteen of them listed as historic monuments in their own right, Ille-et-Vilaine has more organs than most other départements in France and ranks top in Brittany with more than one-half of all the region's instruments.

In addition to their part in the liturgy, organs constitute an outstanding example of heritage. Surprising, too! No two organs are alike since each instrument was designed and built specially for the building in which it was placed.
To increase public awareness of these heritage organs, a comprehensive inventory of organs in Ille-et-Vilaine was published.
Organs are more than just part of an area's cultural and religious heritage; they are also part of its living heritage. Today, many musicians regularly express a wish to play these instruments.

Organs, which are used during religious services, are also played in concerts, either on their own or with choirs or various other musical instruments. To maintain these heritage organs for the future, several actions to promote musical teaching have been introduced, in particular through organ classes.
 
The purchase, restoration and building of organs by towns or villages, associations or private individuals are essential if this heritage is to be saved and such actions are given specific grants.