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.
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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 "Grand 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 England (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 most of 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.
Grande Loge de France outside France
Grande Loge de France has lodges in 14 countries outside France as a result of history (Lodges in former French colonies) or the absence of any other Grand Lodge in amity with the Grande Loge de France in the country at the time of the foundation of the Lodge.
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:
Recognition
In France, there are some 11 Grand Lodges, few of which officially recognize the legitimacy of the others. Many cooperate with GLdF at a level below official recognition.