Figure 1.--This 1904 French postcard is a posed portrait of a nun and some French school childre. Notice the boys wearing smocks. I'm not sure what role the Church had in French schools in 1904, but I think this scene is meant to depict children in a Cathloic and not a state school. The card here says "Bonnes soeurs: IV. La petite classe". This appears to be a series of post cards. It would translate as, "Good ??? IV. The small class".

The Catholic Church has played a major role in French education. We do not, however, have a good understanding of the role of the Church in French schools. The earliest schools were run by the Church. Theis changed during the Revolution when the Church as part of the Ancien Regime was attacked. I am not sure what happened in French schools during the Revolution and Napoleonic era, but of course there was not yet a well developed state school system. With the fall of Napoleon, the Bourbon monarchy restored the position of the Church. We know little about schools in this era, but presumably they were again controlled by the Church. We do not know to what extent the role of the Church in education changed during the reign of Louis Phillipe and Napoleon III. After the disastrous French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), the new French Third Republic instituted major reforms, including important reforms in education. We do not yet have details in these reforms, including the role of the Church in schools. By this time France had established a major state education system. In many European countries, religion was taught in the schools. We are not sure about France. Hopefully our French readers will provide some information here.

Historic Role

The Catholic Church has played a major role in French education. We do not, however, have a good understanding of the role of the Church in French schools. The earliest schools were run by the Church. Theis changed during the Revolution when the Church as part of the Ancien Regime was attacked. I am not sure what happened in French schools during the Revolution and Napoleonic era, but of course there was not yet a well developed state school system.

The French Republic and Republican Reforms

With the fall of Napoleon, the Bourbon monarchy restored the position of the Church. We know little about schools in this era, but presumably they were again controlled by the Church. We do not know to what extent the role of the Church in education changed during the reign of Louis Phillipe and Napoleon III. After the disastrous French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), the new French Third Republic instituted major reforms, including important reforms in education. We do not yet have details in these reforms, including the role of the Church in schools. By this time France had established a major state education system.

Current Role of Religion

In many European countries, religion was taught in the schools. We are not sure about France. Religion of course continues to be important at Catholic schools in France. We are not sure what French policies are toward religion. We assume that there is no religious instruction. We know that French students are not permitted any overt religious display because France has prohibited garments like head scarves that some Muslim girls wear. Hopefully our French readers will provide some information here.

First Communion

First Communion is one of the important step's in a French child's life. The children in Catholic schools were prepared in school for their First Communnion. We are not sure about state schools. The French Revolution which had a strong anti-clerical strain may have ended this, but France at the time was only beginning to develop a national school system. The perogatives of the Church were regained both under Napoleon and ten during the Bourbon Restoration. Presumably during this era children were prepared for their First Communion in the schools. The Third Republic following France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) brought major changes in the church-state relationship. Just when religion instruction and preparation for First Communion was ended in the schools we do not yet know.

Created: 12:38 AM 11/10/20048
Last updated: 8:07 PM 11/23/2004