Roadside shrines to the crucified Christ and Our Lady look benevolently over the populace almost as frequently as the rising spires and bell towers of the churches. The hamlets and villages each have their own medieval church, the simple carved Norman arches and smooth walls gleaming in the sunlight, drawing your eye upward to the sky and whatever lies beyond. At first glance it seems that Catholicsm is as strong a religious force here as it is in Southern Ireland where 80% of thepopulation adhere to the Faith and almost all attend mass.
Though freedom of religion was guaranteed to all citizens after the revolution, the majority of France does still identify itself as Catholic. That majority is thought to be a healthy 88%, but there are fears for the future