Society and Culture France Religious Clerics Roman Catholic priests in some rural areas continue to have

an influence among the laity. However, strong anticlerical beliefs, particularly in southern France,
combined with a decline in religious participation, have undermined their traditional status. Because of
a shortage of priests, rural churches conduct fewer religious services and devotees often travel to towns
for Mass. In recent years, the French Catholic Church has been importing priests from Africa and Asia to
remedy the shortage of priests. Catholic priests are trained in seminaries such as the Seminaire
International Saint Cure d'Ars and the seminary at Paray-le-Monial, a pilgrimage site considered second
only to Lourdes. State Regulations There is no state regulation of clerics in France. The state does not
provide monetary support to the clergy. Government subsidies, however, are given to schools with
religious affiliations. Religion and Public Life The French have traditionally viewed religion as belonging
to the private sphere and as a threat to the absolute authority of the laïcité of the Republic. Religion has
no influence in public life, and the French are highly sensitive to anything that smacks of official
recognition of a religion, to the point that both government and media refer to the ban on Islamic
scarves as the ”French head scarf ban.” Education in public schools is completely secular. Religious
instruction is absent in public schools, although religious facts may feature in history textbooks. Apart
from home schooling, which many parents choose for religious reasons, all schools are required to
conform to the secular standards established by the government. Religious marriage ceremonies are not
considered legal unless followed by a civil ceremony. The minister, priest, or rabbi requires a certificate
of civil marriage as proof before consenting to conduct the religious ceremony. Some religious customs
in public life include Pentecôte / and Mardi Gras , an annual celebration just before the beginning of
Lent marked by costumed celebrations, floats in the streets, the Battle of Flowers, and a great deal of
feasting and revelry. Thousands of barefooted students mark Whit Sunday and Whit Monday by an
annual pilgrimage to Chartres in memory of the dying wish of the poet Charles Péguy. Religious Holidays
and Ceremonies National religious holidays include Good Friday, Ascension Day, Christmas, Easter, and
All Saint’s Day. The religious holidays of minorities do not have the status of national holidays. Christians
observe the Fête des Rois (Epiphany) by placing the figures of the three wise men in the mangers of
churches and homes and sharing the galette des rois (king’s cake), which conceals a bean or a little
porcelain doll. La Chandeleur , or Candle Feast, is a rural Christian celebration observed by bringing
home a blessed candle from the church in order to protect the home during the coming year. C rêpes
(pancakes) are tossed on the griddle while holding a gold coin in the left hand to usher in prosperity in
the coming year. Government and Religion The 1905 law on the separation of religion and state laid the
foundation for the current legislation on religious freedom. The constitution grants freedom of faiths,
and the government is committed to total secularism. Although the law does not mandate registration
of religious organizations, they may do so to obtain tax exemptions and to acquire official recognition.
Religious groups may register as tax-exempt associations of worship or as cultural associations that are
taxed but have access to government subsidies for cultural and educational programs. Both categories
are subject to government scrutiny in terms of management and finances. Most religious groups register
under both categories. The laws of France are not a reflection of any organized religion, but are rather a
reflection of the philosophy of Rationalism adopted during the French Enlightenment. Persecution The
government accords freedom of faiths to all religions. However, following the ban on religious clothing
in public schools, many members of affected minority groups have claimed that the law infringes on
their constitutional right to religious freedom. French Protestant leaders have also alleged that
government laws are barriers to the growth of the evangelical community in France, especially when it
comes to acquiring property or building churches. Similarly, the Muslims of Trappes (a western suburb
of Paris) claim that they had to resort to sit-in protests in front of the City Hall to get approval for their
mosque in 2000. Many human rights activists have warned that certain legislation passed in 2001 and
2004 will seriously undermine religious freedom in France. The legislation calls for the dissolution of
religious groups “under certain circumstances.” This law proposes to imprison proselytizers for “mental
manipulation” of the public. The bill is targeted at 173 "dangerous sects,” including Jehovah's Witnesses,
Scientologists, Unificationists, and evangelical groups like Baptists. Religious Tolerance In general, apart
from anti-Semitic incidents and several instances of Islamo-phobia, the highly secular outlook of the
French is © Copyright 1993-2010 by World Trade Press. All Rights Reserved. www.WorldTradePress.com
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Society and Culture France reflected in their religious tolerance. Protocols for Foreigners Foreign visitors
are free to participate in the religious activities of France so long as they do not violate laws that
maintain religious harmony in the country. Non-Catholics attending Catholic Mass should refrain from
taking the communion bread and wine, and in general, foreigners should consider religious sensibilities
and behave respectfully at places of worship. © Copyright 1993-2010 by World Trade Press. All Rights
Reserved. www.WorldTradePress.com • www.BestCountryReports.com 12

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Society and Culture France Sports General The French are avid followers of various kinds of sports such
as soccer, tennis, rugby, skiing (water and snow) and cycling. Sports are a very important part of French
life and culture. About 13 million French men and women belong to sporting associations. Another 10
million French people practice some kind of sport once a week. About 61 percent of those in the age
group of 50 to 65 frequently practice sports. Soccer leads in popularity with over 2 million registered
players in the country. The Ligue 1 is the foremost sports league with an average of above 20,000
spectators. The French Football Federation (FFF) governs soccer in France, organizing both men’s and
women’s teams. France hosted and won the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Tennis is the second most popular
sport in France with over 1 million licensed players. Tennis was actually invented in France in the 12th
century. France currently holds the annual Grand Slam tennis tournament, the French Open, at Roland
Garros. British residents introduced rugby union in the 1870s. Rugby is popular around Toulouse, the
French Basque region, and Languedoc. The major French clubs take part in the domestic Top14
competition. They also compete in the Heineken cup, the European knockout competition. France
hosted the rugby 2007 World Cup. Cycling is a very popular sport in France. Every July, France hosts the
Tour de France, the most famous cycling race in the world. Hundreds of cyclists compete in this grueling
race, which covers 3,000 kilometers during a three-week period. Petanque is played mainly in the south
since it is not considered a sport by northerners, though IOC recognizes it. Individual Sports Participation
To maintain physical fitness, the French engage in all kinds of sporting activities, especially cycling,
swimming, and walking, the most practiced fitness activity. People generally practice sports in clubs,
parks, and playgrounds. The French Alps are world renowned for skiing and mountain climbing while
surfing is popular in the French Riviera. Although horseback riding is available throughout the country,
the most favorite destination is the Camargue, where even beginners can ride along sandy beaches and
marshland. Most public sports places are free and do not charge any fees. Roughly 10 million people are
enrolled in 170,000 sporting clubs. Private Sports Clubs Anyone can be a member in a private sport clubs
except in company and university clubs, which are open to employees or students. General membership
fees are around 30 euros or more annually. Private Sports Club Listings: Standard Athletic Club Au Clos
Obeuf Route Forestière du Pavé de Meudon 92360 Meudon-La-Foret The Standard Athletic Club is an
international sports club open to all ages. The club's facilities include eight tennis courts, large playing
fields for soccer, hockey, and cricket, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a toddler pool, two squash
courts, fitness classes, and workout rooms. Chateau de Thoiry Cricket Club Chateau de Thoiry, BP 6
78770 Thoiry, France Chateau de Thoiry Cricket Clube was founded in 1990 on the grounds of the XV
Century Chateau de Thoiry. Les Pyramides 16 Avenue de Saint Germain 78560 Port Marly, France Les
Pyramides is a prestigious club located on 25 acres of land near Paris. The club offers many sporting
activities. School Sports The 1984 basic law on sports makes physical education and sports compulsory
to students in all grades. Students take up sports in preschool at the age of four with up to six hours a
week of sporting activities. Primary and middle school students have to participate in sports for two to
four hours per week. Those who opt for physical education courses at the high school level have to put
in more hours. The Baccalaureate examination at the end of the secondary education also includes
papers on sports and physical education. The National Union of School Sports conducts sport
competitions for school children. A wide range of sports is offered to students including soccer,
basketball, volleyball, track and field, gymnastics, and swimming. Professional Sports Professional sports
are very important in the country. The Tour de France is the single largest spectator sport. The 3,000-
mile course © Copyright 1993-2010 by World Trade Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Society and Culture France lasts up to three weeks and is held in July every year. The other important
spectator sports are soccer and rugby, which the French follow passionately. The soccer fever reached
its climax in 1998 during the World Cup when France won the championship. The French Open, played
at Roland Garros near Paris, is a major Grand Slam event that attracts top players from around the
world. Other major events are the 24-hour motor race at Le Mans and bullfighting at Les Arenas, a
Roman arena in Arles, France. Sports stars have celebrity status in France. Soccer star Zenedine Zidane
and tennis star Yannick Noah are the most important sports personalities. Others include tennis players
Mary Pierce, Amélie Mauresmo , and Cedric Pioline , Mary-Jose Perec, a world champion sprinter,
Formula One driver Jean Alesi , world champion cyclists Jeannie Longo and Laurent Jalabert , and solo
yachtswoman Isabelle Austissier . Popular and Dominant Teams Soccer The most popular French soccer
teams are Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint Germaine FC . Olympique Lyonnaise has a keen rivalry
with Saint Etienne, which is a feature of Ligue 1. Popular and Dominant Teams - Rugby Stade Toulousain
is a French Rugby Union Club from Toulouse. They have been the European champions three times,
winning the Heineken cup in 1996, 2003, and 2005. Women Women’s participation in sports has been
increasing steadily during the last 30 years. They have many achievements to their credit, particularly in
athletics and tennis. Women have made great achievements in tennis and athletics. Juvisy FCF is a
dominant female French soccer team in the top division of women’s soccer, Championnat de France de
football feminine . Popular female athletes include tennis players Mary Pierce and Amelie Mauresmo,
world champion sprint Mary-Jose Perec, cycling champion Jeannie Longo, and solo yachts-woman
Isabelle Austissier. © Copyright 1993-2010 by World Trade Press. All Rights Reserved.
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World, Trade Press. France Society & Culture Complete Report : An All-Inclusive Profile Combining All of
Our Society and Culture Reports, World Trade Press, 2010. ProQuest Ebook Central, .

Created from csla on 2017-09-02 15:45:45.