PARIS – Vive la France! The National Assembly voted 331-225 today to legalize marriage equality in France.

The final vote brings to an end months of contentious debate and street protests from conservatives and religious factions, led by the Roman Catholic Church, that oppose same-sex marriage. The emotions were very high today in the National Assembly, and at one point several people were seen shoving each other in the gallery.

The passage of the bill brought out loud applause and cheers from the 331 lawmakers who voted for marriage equality.

PARIS – France’s Senate voted today to approve the marriage-equality bill. The vote was not close, and was conducted by a show of hands.

Because the Senate tinkered with minor items in the comprehensive bill, the measure will require a second vote by both the National Assembly and the Senate. The bill is expected to sail through the second reading.

The marriage-equality bill has stirred passions on both sides of the issue, although a thin majority supports the measure. Opponents have held large rallies against the bill, and anti-gay violence has spikes in recent weeks.

PARIS — A gay couple in Paris said they were attacked and beaten on Saturday for walking arm-in-arm in what LGBT advocates in the country say is indicative of a rise in anti-gay attacks in France since Parliament began debating a measure that would legalize same-sex marriage.

PARIS -- France's National Assembly today voted overwhelmingly on the most important article of a bill that would legalize marriage equality in the heavily Catholic nation.

Deputes voted 249-97 to redefine marriage as being a legal agreement between two people, removing language limiting marriage to a man and a woman.

French President Francois Hollande won election in part because he promised voters that he would get marriage equality passed by lawmakers. His Socialist Party was joined by left-wing groups and others. The opposition included UMP and some centrist deputies.