ARS SONORA®

grand musical sculptures

Inspiring connection & community

A modern urban concept that inspires encounters and exchanges

Enhancement in the heart of the city

Ars Sonora brings poetry and spirit to our city centers and communities

Innovation
by PACCARD

ARS Sonora is a registered trademark of the PACCARD Bell Foundry

Each Ars Sonora® is a work of art resulting from the collaboration between the client and our team of artisans. These grand musical sculptures inspire, entertain, and unite communities through a rich, resonant musical experience.

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Two decades in the making

Over the course of two decades, PACCARD’s multidisciplinary team—comprising designers, musicians, artisans, engineers, and technicians—has collaborated to perfect the innovative Ars Sonora® concept. Each piece is artistic, creative, and unique, enhancing the beauty of the bells.

Traditionally, bells are installed in bell towers, where they are hidden from view. In contrast, Ars Sonora bells are visible and play an integral role in the overall design aesthetic. The bells can be seen as the “raw material” for these musical sculptures, serving as an endless source of inspiration for the artists who design each Ars Sonora.

In the Ars Sonora, bells are electronically connected to a sensitive piano keyboard. Each key controls a dynamic striker on a specific bell, enabling musicians to play with all the nuance and emotion that only an artist can provide. Additionally, the Ars Sonora can be pro- grammed to perform pre-recorded music, allowing listeners to enjoy exceptional music with or without live musicians.

Explore the world
of Ars Sonora®

"Campanile"
In Mercantour National Park, the heart of the small village of Guillaumes beats to the rhythmic melodies chimed by its musical fountain: Ars Sonora “Campanile.”
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“Abbaye & Industrie"
Without a doubt one of the most beautiful musical sculptures made by PACCARD. Ten meters high, with four chromatic octaves, the elegant “Abbaye & Industrie” is the largest Ars Sonora® in France.
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"Frontière"
In the stunning Abondance Valley, Ars Sonora "Frontière" presents a breathtaking panorama.
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The Susan and John Sykes Ars Sonora

University of Tampa, Florida
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Dans le Parc du Mercantour

"Campanile", fontaine musicale
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Carillon de Morzine

L'Ars Sonora "Flamme"
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Ars Sonora Arc 1800 / Bourg-Saint-Maurice (Savoie - France)


“We are very pleased with the recent addition to Arc 1800. As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Les Arcs, we wanted to install a symbol that marks the passage of time in the resort. Because the resort had neither a bell or clock, a carillon seemed the ideal choice. We selected PACCARD, a company renowned for its extensive expertise and their ARS SONORA® concept. This special instrument features 19 bells, along with an integrated clock, and has been proudly installed on the Arc 1800 snow front for over a year now. It not only marks and chimes on the hour, it adds vibrancy to resort events.

One of the preeminent professors at the Les Arcs Music Academy, Franck Krawczyk, composed a work specifically for this unique instrument. We have no regrets about this cultural investment, which is in perfect harmony with our mountainous setting.”

— MICHEL GIRAUDY, Mayor of Bourg Saint Maurice – Les Arcs

Ars Sonora Comanile / Guillaumes, France


“This professionally executed project fully meets the expectations of the community. It is an integral part of the village's identity and is appreciated by everyone (elected officials, the population, tourists). The quality, the respect for deadlines, and the successful installation of this work of art, demonstrate great professionalism. I am very pleased with the result.”

— JEAN-PAUL DAVID, Mayor de Guillaumes

Ars Sonoras Frontière and Portes du Soleil / Châtel, France


“Our two Ars Sonoras, Frontière and Portes du Soleil, are intergenerational projects that celebrate art, culture, sharing, and generosity. Set against the backdrop of a village and seasonal resort, these musical sculptures enrich our daily lives and serve as a reminder of our origins, rooted in rural life and pastoralism. In moments of tranquility, their sounds evoke memories and capture the spectrum of life’s events, both joyful and sorrowful. They are beautiful, vibrant works whose sincere notes communicate clearly, allowing us to express and experience our feelings naturally.

Frontière, the latest creation in Chatel, was another successful experience with PACCARD — a company as passionate as we are.”

— NICOLAS RUBIN, Mayor of CHATEL, Departmental Councillor of Haute Savoie