How do you get more than 130,000 Freemasons, men and women, belonging to more than ten different rival jurisdictions, each passionate about the claims of his or her own masonic system, to act together in concord and brotherly love? French Freemasonry found the answer to this question in June this year, when over a thousand Freemasons gathered together in Lyon to celebrate 275 years of Freemasonry in France, and at the same time to assert that the values, culture and aims of Freemasonry united them more strongly than their differences divided them.

The climax to the celebration in Lyon was only part of nationwide events to mark this most important anniversary for ‘the Royal Art’. Starting with an exhibition at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire at St Denis, Paris, on 17 March this year, events have been organised in Alençon, Toulouse and Lyon.
    The starting point was the creation, in June 2001, of a forum for dialogue between nine of the different Grand Lodges, called ‘La Maçonnerie Française’. In October 2002 this gave rise to the Institut Maçonnique de France, whose declared essential objective was ‘to rediscover, to deepen and to make better-known to the interested public at large – masonic and non-masonic – the cultural and ethical values of Freemasonry, right across its historical, literary and artistic heritage’.
    Although Freemasons were active in France before 1728, it was in that year that Philip, Duke of Wharton, was recognised as the Grand Master of the Freemasons in France. Today, French Freemasonry is active in at least ten separate jurisdictions. Historically, these masonic bodies have not always lived together in amity, which makes the establishment of the Institut Maçonnique de France, and the resulting organisation of nationwide events in this way even more remarkable.
    Pierre Mollier, Director of the Library and Museum of the Grand Orient de France in Paris, summed it up nicely when he said ‘With the setting-up of the Institut Maçonnique de France, we can stop concentrating on that which divides us, and bring to the fore those important traditions and values which unite us’. In this spirit, the Institut does not form any kind of supra-Freemasonry, but rather it serves as the means of the different Grand Lodges acting together in concord and unity of purpose, to enhance the rich cultural and spiritual heritage that is French Freemasonry. On a practical level also the Institut works for the good of all strands in Freemasonry – a member expelled for unmasonic conduct from one jurisdiction for instance, cannot expect to be welcomed by another.
    The main celebrations started on 23 June in Paris, with the reception of the Grand Masters and delegations at the Elysée Palace by Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic. In France it is not regarded as anomalous for Freemasonry and political life to be associated, and in his speech, the President underlined the manner in which republican and masonic ideals had grown hand in hand. ‘Over the course of time,’ he observed, ‘being rooted in the Republic, whatever the values which French Freemasonry has defended, it has attracted women and men committed in the life of society, and representative of France in all its diversity.’
    The following day, 24 June, the Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, was host at a lunch given for the Grand Masters and delegations at the Prime Ministerial residence, Hôtel Matignon. In his speech he went even further: ‘The women and men who have promoted the values of tolerance for nearly three centuries, sometimes being, in the words of one of you, “the toolbox of the republic” – how could they not have been present at those radiantly bright moments of our history?’ It would be hard to imagine an important masonic anniversary being recognised in England by the Prime Minister or leading members of the government, an indication of how Freemasonry is integrated into French national life.
    The whole experience was remarkable above all for the concord and unity of purpose of ten factions, who have so often in the past been at pains to underline their differences. The Grande Loge Nationale Française, the only body recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England, was not one of the founders of the Institut, underscoring the official line that theirs is the only authentic Freemasonry. But there are also those in the Grande Loge Nationale Française who maintain, as do the other bodies present, that now is the time to put differences behind them and move forward in a spirit of true fraternity.
    The United Grand Lodge of England however were not present, leaving England to be represented by the presence of a Freemasonry Today representative, highlighting the advantage of the independent status of the magazine. Another remarkable aspect was the enthusiastic engagement of the women Freemasons present. It was quite evident from the whole experience that the five jurisdictions who admit women were determined to be heard in what is a largely male province. Foremost among these was the Grande Loge Féminine de France, with a membership of some 12,000 across the country.
    The celebrations in Lyon, conducted under the banner Lyon – Carrefour Européen de la Franc-Maçonnerie (Lyon – European Forum of Freemasonry) were launched on Friday 27 June in the Musée des Beaux Arts. An ambitious exhibition was inaugurated, accomplished with the involvement of the municipality of Lyon, and featured exhibits on subjects such as Jean-Baptiste Willermoz who, initiated in 1750 at the age of twenty, with his deep knowledge of the ritual and the degrees, became the ‘Father’ of Lyon Freemasonry.
    From Willermoz, we moved on to the activity of the lodges in Lyon before the Revolution, to Count Cagliostro, the champion of Egyptian mysticism in Freemasonry, to the legendary General Lafayette, ‘veteran of liberty’ and friend of George Washington, and finally to the activities of Freemasonry in the Resistance during the second World War. Outside, in the elegant baroque courtyard gardens of the Musée des Beaux Arts, delegates walked and chatted in the shade offered from the searing heat while a musical ensemble regaled them with a rich variety of masonic music.
    At the inauguration, the Mayor of Lyon, Gérard Collomb, made it quite clear that the municipality underpinned the masonic celebrations, indeed regarded the city of Lyon as part of them. ‘The city of Lyon,’ he said ‘has brought together its cultural institutions, as well as a range of very rare public and private collections, in organizing the exhibition Lyon – European Forum of Freemasonry. With this exhibition, we want to play our part in giving public prominence to the fundamental role which this philosophical tradition has played in history. The history of our city, the history of the French Republic, European history: a history which is also that of an unceasing battle of ideas, a battle for liberty’. The President of the Institut Maçonnique de France, Roger Dachez, expressed his thanks to the Mayor. He once again highlighted the theme of unity. ‘By this public event,’ he said, ‘Freemasonry shows that it is henceforth united, all jurisdictions together, each one respecting the obligations of the other, to make better known its historic heritage, which is the common property of all masons, and which forms a part of the heritage of our nation’.
    Following the speeches, the delegates were treated to a magnificent reception at the Hôtel de Ville, where they were addressed by Alain Bauer, the Grand Master of the Grand Orient de France.
    Saturday dawned, hot as ever, as nearly 1,000 participants gathered at the Halle Garnier on the outskirts of the city, for the culmination of the celebrations, launched by an historical overview of Freemasonry in France delivered by Roger Dachez. This was followed by an imaginative show, accompanied by music, of an amusing, evocative, at times deeply touching, tour through French masonic history.
    The whole experience, a year in which Freemasons have worked together to come together, has led to a situation where different Grand Lodges do not look on each other with mistrust, but live alongside one another in harmony of purpose. It seemed to many of those present to be the true embodiment of masonry universal.

Ten main masonic jurisdictions within France taking part in the celebrations

Fédération Française du Droit Humain
French arm of this international mixed masonic body, founded in 1893. Approximately 15,000 members in France, 66% women, 34% men

Grande Loge de France
Regarded as practising regular Freemasonry, but not recognised by United Grand Lodge of England. Approximately 25,000 members. Men only

Grande Loge Féminine de France
Premier feminine masonic jurisdiction in the world. Approximately 12,000 members. Women only

Grande Loge Féminine de Memphis Misraïm
Approximately 600 members, women only

Grande Loge Mixte de France
Approximately 2,000 members, 50% men, 50% women

Grande Loge Mixte Universelle
Approximately 1,000 members, men and women

Grande Loge Nationale Française
The only jurisdiction recognised by United Grand Lodge of England. Approximately 30,000 members nationwide. Men only

Grande Loge Traditionelle et Symbolique Opéra
Breakaway from the Grande Loge Nationale Française. Has fraternal relations with the other French jurisdictions. Approximately 2,500 members. Men only

Grand Orient de France
Largest masonic jurisdiction in France with approximately 45,000 members nationwide. Regarded as irregular by United Grand Lodge of England. Men only

Loge Nationale Française
Approximately 300 members, men only