Welcome to the Website of the Grand Orient de France.

The Grand Orient de France is an organisation which is motivated by two great principles which are apparently contradictory : the respect for a tradition inherited from the founders of freemasonry and the search for progress for the improvement of Men and Society.

Respect for tradition is what makes freemasonry and particularly that practised by the Grand Orient de France a society into which one must be initiated. In Masonic Lodges, rituals and symbols are used during meetings, and also in the individual progress of each freemason within the organisation. The most well-known of these symbols are the three dots, the set square and the compass. Their philosophical and ethical meaning cannot be revealed without altering the depth of their signifiance ; that is the only sense in which one can speak of Masonic Secrecy.

For the freemasons of the Grand Orient de France, the search for progress has always been the force behind their reflection and their activities, to such an extent that this principle is an integral part of the tradition of this form of Masonry. We are the heirs of men and women who all, in their own way, worked to improve Humankind : Voltaire, La Fayette, Garibaldi, Auguste Blanqui, Victor Schoelcher, Emir Abd-El-Kader, Louise Michel, Bakounine, Jean Zay, Félix Eboué, Pierre Brossolette and so many others of whom we are proud to be able to say that they enriched our Lodges by their very presence. This is why the Grand Orient de France is a staunch defender of the principles contained in its motto which is that of the Republic : "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity". This is why, the Grand Orient de France is such an ardent advocate of the absolute freedom of conscience which is garanteed by the secular nature of our institutions. This is why the Grand Orient de France is strongly opposed to racism and to the enemies of democracy.

The Internet is a means of communication which has huge possibilities. If it is used well it can be a fantastic way of bringing men closer together. It is therefore quite natural for the Grand Orient de France to play its part in this network ; this website is of course a showcase which will enable, we hope, as many people to get to know our masonic allegiance. We will endeavor to make it a progressive and dynamic way for everyone to find visiting our site an interesting and rewarding experience.

Have a good "surf" on the website of the Grand Orient de France !