Grande Loge de France
Encyclopedia
The Grande Loge de France (GLDF) is the third largest Masonic obedience in France. It positions itself as occupying a unique position in the landscape of French Freemasonry
, recognising and having relations with the obediences of Continental Freemasonry
while still considering itself to be separate from them.
(UGLE), although it was (briefly) recognized by a few of the Grand Lodges in the United States around the time of the First World War (UGLE and all the American Grand Lodges currently recognise the Grande Loge Nationale Française
instead). In 1954 the General Assembly (Convent) of the GLDF voted a resolution which rendered obligatory the presence of the Volume of the Sacred Law in all its Lodges. Following this, the GLDF and the GLNF entered into negotiations for a union, which ultimately failed. In 1964, the GLDF signed a 'Treaty of Fraternal Alliance' with the GODF. Some 1,000 brethren out of a total of 8,200 left GLF because they disagreed with the Treaty and joined the GLNF.
The Grand Lodge of France works the first three degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (A&ASR). As of 2008 it has approximately 800 lodges and over 30,000 members.
in amity with the Grande Loge de France in the country at the time of the foundation of the Lodge.
As of 2008, the Confederation of the United Grand Lodges of Europe had 11 constituent members:
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...
, recognising and having relations with the obediences of Continental Freemasonry
Continental Freemasonry
Continental Freemasonry refers to those Masonic lodges, mainly on the continent of Europe, that recognise the Grand Orient de France or belong to CLIPSAS or SIMPA.-The two branches of Freemasonry:Today, Freemasonry...
while still considering itself to be separate from them.
Previous uses of the name
The name, "Grande Loge de France" was used by the first French Masonic grand body, but its foundation date is unknown. In 1773, this body gave itself a new set of Statutes and changed its name to the "Grande Orient de France". A few Lodges objected to one of the new Statutes' articles which stipulated that the Masters must be elected by the free choice of their Lodge and decided to continue under the old name of Grande Loge de France. However both bodies re-united in 1799.History of the current Grand Loge
The current Grande Loge de France (GLDF) was founded in 1894 due to a rift in the Grand Orient. The Grande Loge de France was never recognized by the United Grand Lodge of EnglandUnited Grand Lodge of England
The United Grand Lodge of England is the main governing body of freemasonry within England and Wales and in other, predominantly ex-British Empire and Commonwealth countries outside the United Kingdom. It is the oldest Grand Lodge in the world, deriving its origin from 1717...
(UGLE), although it was (briefly) recognized by a few of the Grand Lodges in the United States around the time of the First World War (UGLE and all the American Grand Lodges currently recognise the Grande Loge Nationale Française
Grande Loge Nationale Française
The Grande Loge Nationale Française is a French Masonic Grand Lodge. It was founded in 1913, by two lodges, "Le Centre des Amis" Lodge splitting from the larger and older Grand Orient de France and "L'Anglaise" lodge, an independent lodge based in Bordeaux...
instead). In 1954 the General Assembly (Convent) of the GLDF voted a resolution which rendered obligatory the presence of the Volume of the Sacred Law in all its Lodges. Following this, the GLDF and the GLNF entered into negotiations for a union, which ultimately failed. In 1964, the GLDF signed a 'Treaty of Fraternal Alliance' with the GODF. Some 1,000 brethren out of a total of 8,200 left GLF because they disagreed with the Treaty and joined the GLNF.
The Grand Lodge of France works the first three degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (A&ASR). As of 2008 it has approximately 800 lodges and over 30,000 members.
Grande Loge de France outside of France
Grande Loge de France has lodges in 14 countries outside of France, as a result of history (Lodges in former French colonies) or the absence of any other Grand LodgeGrand Lodge
A Grand Lodge, or "Grand Orient", is the usual governing body of "Craft", or "Blue Lodge", Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction. The first Masonic Grand Lodge was established in England in 1717 as the Premier Grand Lodge of England....
in amity with the Grande Loge de France in the country at the time of the foundation of the Lodge.
- Belgium: One lodge in Tournai
- Thailand: One lodge in Bangkok
- Canada: One lodge in Montreal
- Congo: Three lodges, two in Brazzaville and one in Pointe Noire
- England: One lodge in London
- Israel: Two lodges, one in Jerusalem and one in Tel Aviv
- Latvia: Three lodges in Riga
- Lithuania: One lodge in Kaunas
- Madagascar: Three lodges
- Mauritius: Four lodges
- Russia: One lodge in Moscow
- Senegal: One lodge
- Spain: Two lodges, one in Barcelona and one in Madrid
Confederation of the United Grand Lodges of Europe
In 2000, together with other European Grand Lodges and the "Opera" Traditional and Symbolic Grand Lodge, the GLDF formed the Confederation of the United Grand Lodges of Europe.As of 2008, the Confederation of the United Grand Lodges of Europe had 11 constituent members:
- Gran Logia de Canarias
- Grande Loge de France
- Grand Lodge of Greece A&ASR
- General Grand Lodge of Italy
- National Grand Lodge of Portugal
- National Grand Lodge of Serbia
- La Grande Loge Nationale du Liban
- National Grand Lodge of Romania
- Grande Loge traditionnelle et symbolique Opéra
- Grande Loge unie du Liban
- Sun Grand Lodge of Lebanon
- United Grand Lodge of Russia (in 2010)