France has traditionally been regarded as “la fille aînée de l'Église”, the oldest daughter of the Church, reflecting the fact that there have been Christians there, in communion with Rome, since the second century. Irenaeus of Lyon, who died in 202AD, was one of the first great defenders of orthodox faith, having been taught by Polycarp of Smyrna, who had himself been converted by the teaching of the apostles.
However, in recent times the relationship between the French and their religious adherence has become rather complicated. As Pope Francis joked a few years back, if France is the eldest daughter of the Church, she is an unfaithful one.
