In the 19th century, public education in France  was made mandatory and secular. The Catholic Church, which  previously had controlled and administered education, viewed this as a hostile act of anti-clericism. They faced off against the proponents of secularism in what was known as "The Conflict of the Two Frances." Today, more than ever, schools are battleground over secularism, religious expression and separatism.

This podcast is part of  "Paris: A City of Ideas," a series created and narrated by Roger Mummert ([email protected]).
For more information: www.theparisproject.net

This podcast was created by Roger Mummert for www.theparisproject.net.