French Protestantism is a complex and important aspect of France's history. The most commonly used synonym for French Protestant is Huguenot, which refers to a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Another synonym is Calvinist, which is derived from the teachings of John Calvin, a prominent leader of the Protestant Reformation. Other synonyms include Reformed, Evangelical, and Protestant. Despite the diversity of terminology, all of these synonyms refer to the same group of people who were persecuted and marginalized during the religious conflicts that shaped France's history. Today, French Protestantism is an important part of France's cultural heritage.