This article is one itinerary.
Traveling to Taizé has since the community of Taizé, The Taizé community[1], was founded constantly becoming increasingly popular.
History
Taizé was founded in 1949 by Brother Roger (eg. Roger Schutz). As early as 1940, he was in Taizé, which was then occupied by the Germans. Here he helped to hide vulnerable people. After this came to the knowledge of the Germans, he was allowed to flee, but returned in 1944. When he returned, he was accompanied by three brothers who shared his calling. They took care of children who had been orphaned during the war and also helped German prisoners of war. At Easter 1949, seven brothers made their vows and in connection with that, the community was founded.
In August 2005, Brother Roger was stabbed to death during an evening prayer in the community church. The leadership was taken over by Brother Alois.
Focus
The focus of the community is on two things: working with young people and uniting different Christian churches. Young people from all over the world come to the community to stay there for one or more weeks and share life with others. The day consists largely of prayer and study. During the prayers, short, simple songs are sung that are repeated. Among the songs are lyrics in many different languages. The most common are French, English and Latin, but many songs are also sung in the languages spoken by visitors to the monastery. In addition to songs, Bible texts are read during prayer times. A very characteristic detail is the moment of silence that you have in the middle of every opportunity. During that moment, visitors engage in inner prayer or thoughts.
For young people under the age of 30, it is possible to stay more than a week, but for older visitors there is a maximum limit of one week per year. During the summer, several thousand young people come to Taizé every week.
To take with you to Taizé
You should bring a sleeping bag and preferably a tent to Taizé. It is also good to have a Bible with you as you participate in Bible studies every day and also have a lot of time for silence and reflection.
To bring with you from Taizé
The brothers make things that they sell to finance the activities of the convent. There are, among other things, jewelry and ceramics. You can also buy books as they print, CDs, posters, postcards, song sheets and icons.
Getting here
The A6 motorway passes near Taizé. The village is located in between Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon-Loché.
The nearest international airport is in Geneva, Geneva Airport, [2]. Flights to Geneva depart from, among other places Stockholm and Copenhagen with SAS, [3]. You can also fly to Paris or Lyon and take the train from there.
- Dolphin bus[4] in Stockholm goes to Taizé every Saturday during the summer. Return journey takes place every Sunday (returning home on Monday). They also have tours during other periods of the year when travel is popular.
- Haga buss[5] runs buses regularly from Stockholm to Taizé. The buses depart every Saturday and return on Sunday (return Monday). The journey is on the E4 from Stockholm - Helsingborg with the possibility of boarding along the road. Haga buss also arranges transfer trips from the airports in Paris and Lyon to Taizé.
With the French railway company SNCF[6] you can take the TGV train from Paris (Gare-De-Lyon) to Mâcon-Loché (Mâcon), a journey that takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The railway station is located on the southwestern outskirts of Mâcon. It is also possible to travel by TGV from Paris (Gare-De-Lyon) to Bourg-en-Bresse and then take local trains to Mâcon. From Mâcon you can then travel by connecting bus to Taizé. These cost about € 1.50. In the absence of a bus you can take a taxi.
By car, follow the A6 motorway south. At exit 26, turn off in the direction of Cahlon-sur-Saône, among others. Keep left onto Route N80 / E607 toward Cluny. Follow this road for just over 8 km and turn off in the direction of Taizé and Cluny. On road D981 you drive towards Cluny. one continues through Buxy and Cormatin. 4 km after Cormatin, turn right towards Taizé. Then follow the signs to Communauté. Keep in mind that tolls occur along the road.
Displacement
Taizé is a relatively small village and the easiest way is to walk.
Accommodation
In Taizé you either bring your own tent or, when you book the trip, choose one of the accommodation options that are already there (tents & barracks). When you arrive in Taizé, you will be assigned accommodation. There are a limited number of barracks with rooms for six people (bunk beds). For families, there are also some options for living in barracks. The cost of accommodation includes food (breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea) and is very cheap. You pay according to a price list where the price depends on age and nationality.
Food and drinks
Food is included in the price of the accommodation. It is simple but very affordable. It is possible to buy simple food and drinks in the area's kiosk during certain times.
To see
- The community church
- St. Etienne's spring, in a park where there is silence.
- The village of Taizé, where the community is located. Here you can also see the village church where, among others, Brother Roger rests.
To do
The day is organized based on prayer and studies. This is the schedule for weekdays. On Saturday evening a special prayer is said at the cross and on Sunday morning communion is celebrated.
- 08.15 morning prayer, then breakfast
- 10.00 Bible introduction followed by discussions in small groups
- 12.15 noon prayer, then lunch
- 14.00 singing practice, free time
- 15.15 group talk / work
- 17.15 te
- 17.45 workshop (not Monday)
- 19.00 noon
- 20.30 evening prayer
- 22.00 silence