ABSTRACT
In France, research on the Crusades reaches back centuries. It has been characterized by a manifold of differing trends in the course of time. Research on the Crusades in the first half of the 20th century was characterized by the masterful and complete overview by René Grousset (1885-1952). A summary of French research on the period of the Crusades is as follows: increasing research in the Mediterranean region and a host of source editions but only a few studies on the Northern Crusades. The Northern Crusades are dealt with in the work of Charles Higounet, Les Allemands en Europe centrale et orientale au Moyen Age. Today in France, the concept of a Crusade has become very strained. At times, it is used to designate large collective endeavours, e.g. in matters of public health. Contrarily, it is also used polemically by one portion of society, namely, as a way to characterize Western and Israeli politics in the Middle East.
