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Church

Wooden statues stolen from French abbey 60 years ago are found

The statues were tracked down to two private homes. The 'owners' were unaware they had been stolen

French historic churches tax credit continues

Scheme aims to support restoration and maintenance of religious buildings

How French medieval craftsmen made the stained glass windows of Troyes

Art historian Dr Julia Faiers discovers the colourful secrets and stories depicted in the churches of Aube’s capital city

magazine

Paris chapel named one of best hidden secrets in tourist poll

The monument on the Ile de la Cité dates back to the thirteenth century

Are modern underpants really shown in medieval French church window?

The Troyes tourist board had initially joked that a pair of men's briefs were added to the stained glass window during restoration

Pope Francis in Marseille for unofficial visit focused on immigration

The city was chosen to highlight the migration crisis and loss of life in the Mediterranean sea, a deeply important issue for the Pope. ‘I am visiting Marseille, not France,’ he said

Can a divorced person remarry in a church in France?

It is important to distinguish between the civil and religious parts of a French marriage

Suspected lightning strike sparks major fire at French village church

The blaze caused the roof and the top of the bell tower to collapse

Can same-sex couples get a church blessing in France?

With church blessings approved by the Church of England, can you get one in France also?

France wants to restore its village churches… but who is going to pay?

The government is looking at implementing a subscription model in a bid to fund restoration work for small churches in France

French church insists death threats will not cancel pole dancing show

‘You can't just give in to threats,’ said the church’s pastor

Man who saved French church from ruin sued for breaking building rules

Olivier Fury’s renovations of a 16th-century monastery were praised by Brigitte Macron. But authorities say the work was unauthorised

French mayor’s anger as court orders that Saint Michel statue must go

The statue had been approved by 94% of voters in a referendum in 2022 but a court has ruled that it breaks France’s secularism laws

Pastor gets death threats after pole dancing show in French church

The show in the Strasbourg church was described as ‘virtuous, athletic … and according to some sexy’

Discover mediaeval underground cave churches in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

We learn why Christians dug down into solid rock to create places of worship and where we can see them today

Less than half of people believe in God in 2021, French poll finds

Older people aged 65 and over are most likely to believe, but faith is also high among 18-34s. We also look at how to find an English-speaking church service in France

Explore the painted churches of the Pyrénées

Uncovering painted marvels in the churches of the Louron and Aure Valleys

Covid rules: Attendance at religious services increased

New measures mean that places of worship can allow one person to every three seats, rather than a maximum of 30 people

The Paris church visited by royals and even John Lennon

The ‘hidden’ church of St Michael’s in Paris has been welcoming visitors since 1834, among them ambassadors, members of the British Royal Family and musicians

Notre Dame: Historic stained glass may be replaced

Archbishop overseeing the rebuilding of the stricken cathedral are debating whether to introduce modern touches to the iconic building, as the restoration reaches a major milestone

French bells entertain town in coronavirus lockdown

Respecting social distancing guidelines is definitely not a problem for musician Jacques Martel

Sacré-Cœur in Paris set to finally become historic monument

The project to have the famous Montmartre basilica officially recognised was launched this week

Are legacies to churches exempt from French inheritance tax?

In our monthly column Legal Notes, reader questions are answered and explained.

Architecture in France: the churches of the north east

Explore the fortified churches of La Thiérache.

Religious gathering ban is illegal, says high court

Religious gatherings should be allowed to restart in France, the country’s highest administrative body which also acts as a high court has said.

Drive-through confession during lockdown in France

A priest has started hearing drive-through confessions on Saturday mornings as a way of bringing spiritual comfort to people.

Macron announces measures against ‘Islamic separatism’

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a series of measures designed to combat “Islamic separatism” in France - including new rules on foreign imams and education.

Crêpes at the ready as France celebrates Chandeleur

Today (Sunday February 2) marks the Christian festival of Chandeleur, which is traditionally celebrated in France by the making of crêpe pancakes.

Corners of France are forever England

France is home to more than 10 purpose-built Anglican churches. The Connexion discovers more about some of them

France has world’s only chapel dedicated to rugby

Did you know? The only chapel dedicated to rugby in the world is at Larrivière-Saint-Savin in the Landes.

France celebrates with traditional galette des rois

It is galette des rois season in France, as the country marks Epiphany on January 6, and bakers compete to make the best, most original versions of the popular patisserie.

English church services in France this Christmas

A list of English-language church services in France this Christmas period

Missing French couple found alive and well in Corsica

A couple from Normandy that had been reported missing during a holiday to Corsica have been found alive, with their daughter saying that “their love saved their lives”.

UK bells ring out a welcome in the Pyrenees

The only set of church bells in France capable of English change ringing are to be rung in a Festival of Bells this month to celebrate their dedication.

Alarm bells ring after thefts from historic chapels

Criminals have stolen the bells from four chapels in the eastern Var in just one month

Rouen Cathedral acts to stop visitors spying

Rouen Cathedral has been forced to alter the angle of its new telescopic devices after it emerged that some people were using them to spy on the neighbours.

French lottery boost for chapel dedicated to cyclists

Notre Dame des Cyclistes listed among 121 French monuments to get restoration funds from this year's Heritage Lottery

Gay couple protest at ‘homophobic’ church

A British couple have been demonstrating in front of an Anglican church – saying they have been “banned” because they are gay.

Oh come, all ye faithful

The Irish Chaplaincy in Paris is one of two in the capital that hold regular Mass in English.

Villagers vote on early-morning church bells

Mayor puts matter to a vote following complaint

People called Marie save Marie’s chapel

A chapel dedicated to Marie – the Virgin Mary – has been restored thanks to donations from people called Marie.

Macron: Notre-Dame will be rebuilt as fund nears €1bn

President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that the Notre-Dame cathedral will be rebuilt within the next five years, as thousands have gathered to pay their respects, and the rebuilding fund nears €1 billion.

Row over how loud bells toll

Village faces five-figure bill if court rules church bells are ringing too loud

Raising cash to restore ancient French church

A group of enthusiasts are raising funds to pay for the restoration of a unique and mysterious church.

Franco-English Catholic-Anglican surprise

Christopher Morgan has lived in the village of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Vaucluse for 30 years. About 14 months ago, he and a friend, Duncan Goodwin decided to set up Church of England services in the Luberon area.

Clever ideas bring churches back to life

They may not be the most obvious choice for a new home or business, but about 20 churches a year are being turned into hotels, restaurants, houses - and even a gym.

‘Maries’ of France rally to save small Marie church

A medieval church has been saved after an ingenious fundraiser that won support from round the world ... mostly from people linked to the name ‘Marie’.

Church puts visitors on notice over phones

Visitors to one church in Corsica urged to turn off phones - and warned what could happen if they use their phones while driving

Bell moaners are real pain

RE: Your online article about the Parisian holidaymakers who complained about nearby church bells ringing at 7am ( French gîte renters demand time change for church bell ) – what a bunch of prissy pains they are!

French gîte renters demand time change for church bell

Parisian renters of a vicarage gîte in Occitanie have asked the local church to change the time of its usual morning bells, because they do not want to be woken up at 7h on holiday.

Old church transformed into cultural events centre

A 19th century church in the Nord that was threatened with demolition has been transformed into a “cultural beacon”, including entertainment and events areas, concert space, and even a small hotel.

Green ray shines for start of spring

Strasbourg Cathedral offers a great chance for visitors and, especially, photographers to catch sight of a twice-a-year phenomenon when, if the sun shines, a ray of green light will fall on the pulpit above the statue of Christ

Crêpes and history: The ancient roots of Chandeleur

Today (February 2) many people will eat crêpes to celebrate the festival of “Chandeleur” - known as "Candlemas" in English - a lesser-known Catholic celebration that marks the “Presentation of Jesus at the Temple”.

Rebuilding church’s long lost tower is ‘historic lie’

The editor of the art and heritage magazine La Tribune de l’Art Didier Rykner explains why he opposes a project to restore the missing tower of the Basilica Saint-Denis, north of Paris

Cross must be removed from statue of Pope

The religious symbol must be removed from the top of a statue of Pope John Paul II in Ploërmel, Morbihan

Church is reborn after renovation

After eight years, an ambitious restoration of St Peter’s Anglican Church in Chantilly, Oise, has given members a reborn church and a new appetite for the concerts and events which helped raise funds.

Villagers protest against order to silence church bells

Police erect barriers to protect houses of residents who complained about bells ringing through the night

Hallelujah! How French churches are converting house hunters who are prepared to see the light

Religious buildings in France are an increasingly common sight on the property market as the Catholic Church sells off properties that are no longer greatly used and are expensive to maintain.

Aquitaine's new chaplain to oversee 13 churches

This month a new chaplain, Reverend Tony Lomas, is being welcomed into the Aquitaine Church of England chaplaincy with an installation service at Bordeaux on September 10 officiated by the Bishop of Europe, Robert Innes.

'Laicism' is good deal for Church

The state pays for the upkeep of all pre-1905 cathedrals and churches