Freemasonry in France

Freemasonry in France has been influential on the worldwide Masonic movement due to its founding of Continental Freemasonry.

There are many and varied Masonic rites and obediences in France. The main male-only masonic organisations are the Grande Loge de France and the Grande Loge Nationale Française, the main female-only organisation is the Women's Grand Lodge Of France, and the main mixed organisations are now the Grand Orient de France and the Droit Humain. Other organisations exist such as the Felicitaries.

In the 18th century, the Pope banned Freemasonry, for reasons linked to the situation in Tuscany that were more political than religious The relevant bull, In eminenti apostolatus was not however registered by the parliament of Paris and was never enacted in France. At the end of the 19th century, in the struggle between the French Republic and the Catholic Church, Freemasonry and its then-powerful networks definitively backed the state, leading to the Affaire Des Fiches, and even came to be called "the church of the Republic".

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