Religion and Spirituality

France has a particularly complex intersection of religion and culture. It is important to do some research about religious life in France before you go, and while there, keep an open mind about religious practices. In doing this, you'll be able to gain a better understanding of your own belief system(s) and an increased familiarity of others’. Exposure to different belief systems while living in France may prompt questions about your own religious identity and may cause you to reflect more about your religious or spiritual practice.

Here are some questions to consider:

• Will you be part of a religious majority or a religious minority in France?
• What are the general attitudes toward your religion in France?
• If you are planning to practice your religion, are there any places of worship you can visit? If not, how will you plan to practice your religion?
• How are atheists or agnostics perceived in France?
• Are there laws about religion?
• Will it be safe/legal for you to wear religious symbols and/or clothing?
• Is there separation of church and state in France?
• If you have religious dietary restrictions, will they be accommodated in France?
• Are you open to living in a household with a different religious background than yours?
• Are there any religious holidays that are celebrated as public events in France?

Here is a list of resources to get you started. They will provide additional insight and we highly encourage you to check them out, as well as other resources that are available on the internet.

• Chaplaincy.tufts.edu 
• Bbc.co.uk: Global perspectives on different religions 
• Pri.org: A journalist explores major differences between France and the U.S. in terms of religion 
• State.gov: U.S. Department of State reports on International Religious Freedom 

Note: These sites or any product or service provided by the sites are not affiliated with or endorsed by Tufts University.