The Grand Almoner of France (French: Grand aumônier de France) was an officer of the French monarchy and a member of the Maison du Roi ("King's Household") during the Ancien Régime.
[1] The Grand Almoner played above all a symbolic role as the most important member of the church in the royal court.
Often having a church rank of bishop, more rarely that of cardinal, the Grand Almoner had a number of important privileges, including oversight of charity organizations in Paris and the right to the silver service of the royal chapel at the death of the king.
The Grand Almoner also gave communion to the King and performed baptisms and princely marriages.
The position was largely dominated by a few aristocratic families, such as by the House of Rohan.