Bibles

The Reformation sought to give everyone direct access to the Word of God as set out in the Bible. All the Reformers were committed to translating it into the vernacular.

Following the Edict of Fontainebleau (1685), with the practice of the Reformed faith having been banned, Protestants continued to read the Bible in secret. This led to the creation of tiny Bibles that women could conceal in their buns.

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Previous noteThe Bible in times
of persecution for the French Protestants (1685-1760)
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Associated tours

Texte de la Bible en araméen

La Réforme et la Bible

Associated notes

The revolution of printing

Block print technology was now highly developed and had a considerable impact on the dissemination of ideas – it was thanks to printing that the ideas of the Reformation spread...
Psaume XXV mis en vers par Clément Marot

Psautiers

Les Réformateurs prônent le chant comme expression de la foi nouvelle ; les psaumes de la Bible sont traduits en français et mis en musique. Ils sont édités dans des...
Coupe de communion démontable du XVIIIe siècle

Plats et coupes de communion

Ils servent à distribuer le pain et le vin aux fidèles, en mémoire de la Cène instituée par le Christ avant sa mort. Les plats et coupes de communion sont...
Bibles dites de chignon (XVIIIe siècle)

Memorabilia from “underground” life

Since Protestants still living in France might only practice their religion in the utmost secrecy, they had to hide all objects likely to be used in religious ceremonies.

Religion in the “Desert” period (1715-1787)

Following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, French Protestants recanted or went into exile. But among those who recanted, some continued to practice in secret, read the Bible and...