Paris is a typical capital city with a tremendously diverse population, lots of people moving all the time, lots of people living outside the city and commuting in. Every weekend there's a mad dash for the country, and every August the Parisians leave and tourists arrive to take their place. Parisians are like so many others - they're so hassled that they barely notice the people around them. Their lives revolve around work with a little socialising thrown in and there's little sense of community in most districts. There are some Christians however and while there are significantly less than some parts of France such as the in East, by comparison with other areas such as Brittany, the Parisian churches are massive.
In France; since the separation of church and state at the beginning of the last century, it is very hard to witness at work (as a professional or as a student); it is in fact illegal to hold a prayer meeting at a place of work. The French education system (in its infinite wisdom) teaches all children philosophy and given the secular, going on atheist atmosphere in the schools, most university students are very convinced of the non-existence of a Christian God. The Catholic church is widely viewed as hypocritical by most French people, and interestingly they view Protestant churches with more respect. The French are also turning in large numbers towards Islam and Buddhism.
The French university system is very different from Britain. First of all, students usually attend the university closest to home and so either live at home and commute, or rent a small room in the town and return "home" each weekend. University social life is therefore somewhat limited and they remain very much in the family mould. Not only that, but everyone who passes the "Baccalaureat" (A-levels) can go to any university. At the end of the first year, up to one third of the students will fail the end of year exam. They can then re-sit the year, or leave. The same "selection" happens at the end of the second year and to a certain extent at the end of the 3rd year. Students are often, therefore, careful not to over-commit themselves to activities which will "take up too much time".
In my experience the French are proud, intellectual people who are very post-modern; tolerance is the word of the day. Some are prepared to read the Bible but sadly, many do it on an intellectual/literary basis. Building relationships with French people is also a time consuming process - they like to keep themselves to themselves.
In spite of all this there are still Christians in France! Students do put on evangelistic events; only last week they organised a talk entitled "Buddhism - the reasons behind a choice" in a room at the Sorbonne itself. French people are becoming Christians. The French evangelical church is alive and relatively well. It has an urgent need for "indigenous" pastors who will faithfully preach the Word. There are good pastoral aspects of church life already up and running: children's camps with a balance of sport and spirituality seem to be alive and very well indeed.
France - what a mix, and what needs!
Brian Butler is currently working for a computer firm in Paris having spent a few years working there with IFES.