French law governing the relations between the State and religious bodies is complex. In many ways it is misrepresented both inside and outside France, as it is believed to base its treatment towards religions on principles of absolute separation and indifference. But the reality of French law is actually quite different. Part I presents author’s attempts to give an overview of French religious law, by successively presenting some sociological data, the constitutional texts, the general characteristics of the system, and the principles governing the organization of religious institutions.
