This summer, travel to Taizé in France with young adults from across the Diocese of Oxford and join thousands of others from around the world in community, worship and prayer.
What is Taizé?
16-24 August 2025
Taizé in France is something special — it’s not your typical monastery. It’s a place where the peaceful life of prayer meets the energy of a huge youth camp. Young adults from all over the world and from different Christian backgrounds come together for a one-of-a-kind experience of faith, openness and connection.
Whether you're looking for space to encounter God, a chance to make friends from around the world, or just a break from the noise of daily life, Taizé offers a mix of freedom, reflection and a real sense of community.
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The Archdeacon of Dorchester, David Tyler reflects on his experience:
Taizé is a place that changed my life for the better for ever.
Nestled in the Burgundy countryside, this ecumenical community was originally set up in 1940 by Brother Roger, a Swiss Christian who cycled from his home in Geneva and originally began to offer shelter to those fleeing Nazi persecution, including political and Jewish refugees. In 1949 Brother Roger set up a community for both Catholic and Protestant brothers, and over the years the community has grown to over 100 brothers, drawn from over 30 countries. Each year the community welcomes tens of thousands of young pilgrims who will spend a week camping (or in dormitories) with very basic food, experiencing a monastic pattern of Christian life.
Many people have encountered the world-famous Taizé chants, which form an essential part of the pattern of daily prayer, which is integral to this community. At Taizé one hears many languages spoken, whether in worship, small discussion groups, or while working at the daily chores, which are asked of everyone who visits. At the end of the day, many gather at the Oyak, the on-site café, to have a drink, to chat and to join in with spontaneous singing (often led by the Italian groups). Through the rhythm and peace of Taizé, many friendships are formed, and I am still in contact with German, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish friends from my last visit.
In many ways, while I have tried, Taizé is indescribable as it is completely different from anything one might experience elsewhere. You can read about it or watch videos about it, but until you experience it (and until you experience the worship at Taizé) you won’t fully understand what it is all about and why it is so appealing to many.
Taizé changed my life when I visited with a group from Hull University as we joined a larger group from York Diocese. I found at Taizé a fresh and enriching pattern to life and a place that saw my faith strengthen and grow. I found at Taizé a ‘thin place’ where God was clearly present. I visited Taizé three times as a student and also went on a (very cold) trip to Wroclaw in Poland for a European visit in January, travelling by coach through what was Eastern Germany. It was some 30 years before I returned, visiting as part of the Oxford Diocese trip in 2023, the year I became an Archdeacon.
This year, once again, I will return to Taizé as we lead a joint trip with Guildford Diocese for our young people. I am excited to be going and excited to see how God may act, especially in the lives of the young people coming. My life was transformed at Taizé. It strengthened my faith as a young person, a faith that has sustained and enriched my life and seen me called to ordination. If you are a young person or know a young person who might like to come, why not check out the details of our trip. If you are too old to come (or camp!!) please consider committing to pray for our trip. We are expectant that lives will be changed in this small village in France.
This year’s trip will be by coach from Reading on Saturday 16 August and returning on Sunday 24 August.
Accommodation will be in tents and there will be designated leaders (with current DBS) for the under 18 attendees, whose accommodation will be separate from the adults. This year we will be asking for any under 18s to come with a designated adult, this could be a parent, youth or children’s minister, church leader or chaplain to provide extra support for the young people. The trip is fully risk assessed, and we will be accompanied by adults with first aid training.
The cost for the week is £395, for under 18s and £425 for over 18s.
If you need any help financially or for camping equipment, please do contact bishop.reading@oxford.anglican.org.
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