Grande Loge Nationale Française
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UnclaimedGrande Loge Nationale Française is a French Masonic grand lodge founded in 1913 and operating within the tradition of regular, male Freemasonry.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Grande Loge Nationale Française, commonly abbreviated GLNF, is a French Masonic grand lodge. It is not a consumer brand or commercial company in the ordinary sense; its institutional identity is built around the administration of Masonic lodges, rituals, membership, and relations with other grand lodges. The organization presents itself within the tradition of regular Freemasonry and bases its practice on belief in a Supreme Being, traditionally described as monotheism, together with principles associated with the 1929 standards of regularity issued by the United Grand Lodge of England. GLNF was established in 1913 through the combination of two lodges: Le Centre des Amis, which separated from the Grand Orient de France, and L'Anglaise, an independent Bordeaux lodge. Its creation provided a French jurisdiction that sought to align itself with the form of Freemasonry recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England and other regular jurisdictions. This orientation distinguished GLNF from other French obediences whose policies, theology, ritual practice, or relations with secular and liberal Masonic bodies differed from the regular model. The grand lodge has administered several Masonic rites. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite became especially prominent after the arrival of members who left the Grande Loge de France in opposition to that body's treaty with the Grand Orient de France. GLNF later supported renewed work in the French Rite after members researched its historical development and secured a 1989 patent from the Supreme Council of the Modern Rite for Brazil, whose lineage was presented as descending from a pre-1877 French tradition. The French Rite subsequently became a significant part of GLNF activity, reportedly accounting for approximately 15 percent of its lodges in the period described by reference material. Lodges working the Standard Scottish Rite were also added, bringing the number of rites practiced under the jurisdiction to six. GLNF's history includes several organizational separations. The Grande Loge traditionnelle et symbolique Opéra left in 1958, the National French Lodge split in 1968, and the Grand Prieuré des Gaules later became another separate body. These departures reflect the wider fragmentation of French Freemasonry, where questions of ritual, regularity, religious belief, governance, and relations among obediences have repeatedly shaped institutional boundaries. The most severe modern crisis began in 2009 under Grand Master François Stifani. Internal opponents challenged the expenditure of 17 million euros on political subscriptions and took the dispute to court. In January 2011, French legal authorities appointed Monique Legrand to administer the organization, an intervention that intensified the governance crisis and generated international concern. Several regular grand lodges suspended or withdrew recognition, including the United Grand Lodge of England in 2011 and a group of European jurisdictions through the 2012 Basel Declaration. Stifani resigned later in 2012 and was succeeded by Jean-Pierre Servel. Legrand returned administration to Servel, who suspended and subsequently expelled Stifani. Recognition was gradually restored after GLNF's leadership addressed the governance issues that had prompted the withdrawals. In 2014, the United Grand Lodge of England, Grand Lodge of Ireland, and Grand Lodge of Scotland jointly stated that the problems had been comprehensively addressed and that peace and harmony had returned, leading their jurisdictions to restore recognition. GLNF therefore remains an active French Masonic obedience whose public significance lies primarily in its institutional history, ritual traditions, membership structure, and international recognition relationships rather than in commercial activity.
History
Grande Loge Nationale Française was founded in 1913 by two lodges with different institutional backgrounds. Le Centre des Amis separated from the Grand Orient de France, while L'Anglaise was an independent lodge based in Bordeaux. Together they formed a jurisdiction intended to maintain a form of French Freemasonry compatible with the regularity principles associated with the United Grand Lodge of England. The new obedience consequently developed an identity centered on male membership, belief in a Supreme Being, and formal relations with other regular grand lodges. The organization became part of the complex landscape of French Freemasonry, where several obediences coexist but do not necessarily recognize one another. GLNF's history was marked by organizational departures. The Grande Loge traditionnelle et symbolique Opéra split from it in 1958, and the National French Lodge separated in 1968. The Grand Prieuré des Gaules also later became independent. These divisions reflected disputes over ritual, authority, Masonic regularity, and the relationship between religious or theistic requirements and broader forms of French Freemasonry. Ritual practice has been an important part of GLNF's institutional development. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite became its most widespread rite after many members of the Grande Loge de France joined GLNF in protest against that obedience's treaty with the Grand Orient de France. GLNF subsequently developed renewed interest in the French Rite. Research by members into the rite's history led to the acquisition in 1989 of a patent from the Supreme Council of the Modern Rite for Brazil, which claimed continuity with a French tradition predating the 1877 rupture between regular and liberal Masonic currents. French Rite work expanded substantially within GLNF and was described as representing about 15 percent of its lodges. Lodges using the Standard Scottish Rite were later added, bringing the jurisdiction's total to six rites. The organization's most consequential modern episode was the governance crisis that began in 2009. François Stifani, then grand master, faced opposition from members over the reported use of 17 million euros for political subscriptions. The conflict moved into the courts and became an institutional dispute over financial decisions, authority, and the proper administration of the obedience. In January 2011, French legal authorities appointed Monique Legrand as administrator. Her appointment placed GLNF under external legal management and intensified concern among foreign regular grand lodges. International recognition deteriorated during 2011 and 2012. The United Grand Lodge of England suspended relations in September 2011, and several United States grand lodges reportedly followed. In June 2012, the grand lodges of Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Germany, and Luxembourg issued the Basel Declaration, jointly withdrawing recognition and arguing that the damage to their relationship with GLNF could not be repaired under the existing circumstances. The declaration also encouraged the Grande Loge de France to help reconstruct a basis for regular Freemasonry in France and expressed support for ordinary members who wished to continue their Masonic activities. Stifani resigned shortly afterward, and Jean-Pierre Servel became grand master in December 2012. Monique Legrand returned administration of the organization to Servel, restoring internal control. Servel rejected the legal and institutional standing of the Basel Declaration, arguing that the signatory grand lodges had no right to intervene in the internal affairs of another jurisdiction. Under the new leadership, GLNF also suspended and expelled Stifani. The controversy continued to affect relations and public institutional perceptions, including uncertainty around GLNF's centenary activities. A process of diplomatic repair eventually succeeded. In 2014, the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and the Grand Lodge of Scotland jointly stated that GLNF's current leadership had addressed the problems that caused recognition to be withdrawn and that peace and harmony had been restored. Their jurisdictions consequently adopted resolutions restoring recognition. GLNF therefore emerged from the crisis as an active French grand lodge, retaining its regular-Masonic orientation and its ritual infrastructure while continuing to occupy a distinct position within the divided and historically plural French Masonic environment.
- 2014
Recognition restored by England, Ireland, and Scotland
[1]The United Grand Lodge of England, Grand Lodge of Ireland, and Grand Lodge of Scotland restored recognition after evaluating reforms and governance improvements.
- 2012
Leadership transition and European recognition losses
[1]François Stifani resigned, Jean-Pierre Servel succeeded him, and several European grand lodges withdrew recognition.
- 2011
Court-appointed administration
[1]Monique Legrand was appointed by French legal authorities to administer GLNF during its internal crisis.
- 2009
Governance crisis begins
[1]An internal rebellion emerged over political subscriptions and reported expenditure of 17 million euros.
- 1989
French Rite patent obtained
[1]GLNF obtained a patent from the Supreme Council of the Modern Rite for Brazil, supporting the restoration and expansion of French Rite work within the jurisdiction.
- 1968
National French Lodge separates
[1]The National French Lodge left GLNF as a separate Masonic body.
- 1958
Grande Loge traditionnelle et symbolique Opéra separates
[1]The Grande Loge traditionnelle et symbolique Opéra split from GLNF.
- 1913
Foundation of GLNF
[1]Le Centre des Amis and the Bordeaux-based independent lodge L'Anglaise founded the Grande Loge Nationale Française.
Products and positioning
A French grand lodge positioned within the regular, male Masonic tradition, emphasizing monotheistic belief, ritual continuity, internal fraternal organization, and recognition by corresponding regular grand lodges.
Masonic rite
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite became GLNF's most prevalent rite after an influx of members from the Grande Loge de France. It has been practiced not only in higher-degree structures but also extensively in lodge work within the jurisdiction.
Masonic rite · 1989
French Rite
GLNF revived and expanded French Rite work after obtaining a 1989 patent from the Supreme Council of the Modern Rite for Brazil. The rite became a substantial part of the jurisdiction, reportedly practiced by roughly 15 percent of its lodges in the period described by the reference material.
Masonic rite
Standard Scottish Rite
The Standard Scottish Rite is among the rites practiced by GLNF lodges. Its addition contributed to a total of six rites worked within the jurisdiction.
Controversies
2012
International withdrawal of recognition
Several regular grand lodges suspended or withdrew recognition from GLNF because of its internal schisms and governance problems. The Basel Declaration by five European grand lodges was the most coordinated expression of this rupture.
2011
External administration during the governance crisis
French legal authorities appointed Monique Legrand to administer GLNF, an intervention that reflected the seriousness of the internal dispute and contributed to international concern.
2009
Political-subscription expenditure dispute
François Stifani faced a rebellion from members over the reported expenditure of 17 million euros on political subscriptions. The dispute developed into court proceedings and a wider challenge to GLNF governance.
Brand decisions
2014
Restore relationships with major regular jurisdictionsStrategyBackground
GLNF had lost recognition from multiple European and overseas grand lodges after its internal governance crisis.
Action taken
The current leadership implemented corrective measures and engaged in the process that led major British Isles jurisdictions to reassess the organization.
Aftermath
The United Grand Lodge of England, Grand Lodge of Ireland, and Grand Lodge of Scotland restored recognition after concluding that the underlying problems had been addressed.
- United Grand Lodge of England — It acknowledged that the problems leading to the withdrawal of recognition had been addressed and restored recognition.
- Grand Lodge of Ireland — It joined the restoration of recognition after concluding that peace and harmony had returned.
- Grand Lodge of Scotland — It joined the restoration of recognition after evaluating the corrective actions of GLNF leadership.
2012
Replace François Stifani with Jean-Pierre ServelOtherBackground
The governance crisis and international recognition dispute continued after external administration and internal opposition.
Action taken
Stifani resigned and Jean-Pierre Servel became grand master; administration was returned to the organization's leadership.
Aftermath
Servel suspended and later expelled Stifani and led efforts to restore GLNF's institutional autonomy and international relationships.
2011
Accept court-appointed administrationOtherBackground
The organization was facing an escalating internal dispute over governance and expenditure.
Action taken
French legal authorities designated Monique Legrand to manage the grand lodge.
Aftermath
The intervention deepened the institutional crisis and contributed to the suspension or withdrawal of recognition by foreign regular grand lodges.
1989
Expand the French Rite within GLNFStrategyBackground
Members researched the historical continuity of the French Rite and sought to restore it within a regular Masonic setting.
Action taken
GLNF obtained a patent from the Supreme Council of the Modern Rite for Brazil and subsequently expanded French Rite lodge work.
Aftermath
The French Rite became a significant part of GLNF activity and was described as being practiced by approximately 15 percent of its lodges.
Sources2 sources
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