The Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France (sometimes called "Le Philar'") is a French radio orchestra based in Paris, France, and one of the four permanent musical formations of Radio France. Founded in June 1937 as the Orchestre Radio-Symphonique under conductor Rhené-Baton, the ensemble was reconstituted in 1941 under Alfred Cortot before appointing Eugène Bigot as its first permanent conductor in 1947. The orchestra was renamed Orchestre philharmonique de la Radiodiffusion-Télévision française in 1952, Orchestre philharmonique de l'ORTF in 1964, and Nouvel Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France in 1976 under musical director Gilbert Amy, before adopting its current title in 1989. Its music directors have included Marek Janowski from 1989 to 2000, Myung-Whun Chung from 2000 to 2015, and Mikko Franck from 2015 to 2025, with Jaap van Zweden appointed music director beginning in 2026. Performing primarily at the Auditorium de Radio France and the Philharmonie de Paris, the orchestra presents approximately 90 concerts per year and broadcasts 50 original radio programs annually on France Musique.
