The Church of Scientology and seven of its leaders are on trial over an alleged fraud that could lead to the organisation being banned in France.
Known for its Hollywood celebrity followers Tom Cruise and John Travolta, the Church is in the dock in Paris for the second time in six years.
But French courts have prosecuted several individual Scientologists since 1978.
In the latest case, a woman alleges she was manipulated into handing over 20,000 euros (£17,600) for costly Scientology products, like an "electrometer" to measure mental energy.
Scientologist Tom Cruise
She said she was approached in a Paris street by a Scientologist in late 1998, who offered a free personality test, at a time when she was feeling psychologically fragile.
After being told that her test results were poor, the woman was sold a series of "life-improvement courses", vitamins and other costly products that left her in debt.
Lawyers argue that Scientology resorts to harassment and pressure to rein in victims who all show signs of vulnerability.
The Scientology Celebrity Centre in Paris, its director Alain Rosenberg and six top officials are accused of trying to seize the fortunes of vulnerable would-be followers "by exerting a psychological hold."
The church's spokeswoman in France rejected the accusations. "This is a trial for heresy," said Daniele Gounord, adding that the church was being "hounded" by French courts.
The seven top Scientologists are also charged with illegal practice of pharmaceutical work after plaintiffs said they were given vitamins and concoctions to improve their mental state.
French prosecutors failed to win a conviction in a previous fraud case against the church in 2003.
But this is the first time that the plaintiffs are invoking a 1994 law that could lead to its dismantling.
Under provisions of that legislation, the Scientology Celebrity Centre and a library in Paris could be shut down for failing to live up to their responsibilities as legal entities.
Founded in the United States in 1954 by science-fiction writer L Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology was officially recognised as a religion there nearly 20 years later.
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