French National Grand Lodge

History

In 1910, some Brothers of the Great East of France, eager to return to a Masonry with a Great Architect of the Universe, a non-denominational term for God, travelled to Switzerland and brought back with them the Rectified Scottish Rite. They were the Brothers of Ribaucourt, Savoire and Bastard.

On returning to France, they created within the Great East of France the Lodge the Center of the Friends and made it function with the Scottish Rite Rectified.

That could not last with the Great East of France of then; and the Lodge ceased to operate in 1913. Ribaucourt with a collection of brethren left the Great East of France to maintain the Lodge outside the Great East of France.

It founded, in partnership with an English Lodge in Bordeaux, the Independent and Regular National Grand Lodge for the French in France and the Colonies, called today "FRENCH NATIONAL GRAND LODGE"

Savoire, who remained with the Great East of France, founded the Grand Priory of Gaules (1935) and the Rectified Scottish Grand Lodge of France (1936). The Grand Priory managed the high ranks of the Rite and the Rectified Grand Lodge of France, the craft ranks.

During the second world war Freemasons were highly persecute and the Lodges ceased their activities, with rare exceptions.

After the war, in 1958, the Grand Lodge of the Rectified Scottish Rite amalgamated with the French National Grand Lodge.

In 1964, in spite of the fact that it imposed the presence of the Bible in its Lodge, the Grand Lodge of France made an agreement with the Great East of France, from which two Obediences operated in friendly relations. This agreement was cancelled in 1970, but it is possible that a Mason of one Obedience will belong to the other.

Please visit the official website of the French National Grand Lodge

Structure

The French National Grand Lodge controls and manages all the Lodges under its obedience in the world and represents their general interests. The Grand Lodge has only the capacity to enact, amend and/or repeal the laws and regulations on the government of the Order.

Principles

The principles of the G.L.N.F are formulated in a rule in twelve points which can be viewed on the official website of the French National Grand Lodge

Membership

To be initiated and recognized as a freemason, it is essential to be able to affirm a faith in God, by whatever the name you know him. The admission is granted to any man, of any race or religion, provided that it meets this condition first, and that they have a good reputation, a man of honour, who impresses spirituality. It must adhere to the great principles of the rule of the French National Grand Lodge.