Pilgrimage to Taizé Summer 2025

Embark on a Transformative Pilgrimage to Taizé: A Journey of Faith, Reflection, and Community

Are you a young adult aged 18-35 seeking a deeper connection to your faith and a stronger sense of community? Join us for a transformative week at Taizé in France, where simplicity, worship, and friendship come together in a life-changing experience. This pilgrimage will take place in Taizé from Sunday 29 June to Sunday 6 July, and we invite you to take part in this unique opportunity for reflection, prayer, and personal growth. When you are ready, please follow this link for the registration form.

Taizé is known for its peaceful atmosphere and invites young people to gather in a spirit of openness and unity. The week is centered around three daily prayers that reflect the simplicity and depth of the Taizé community’s worship style. Throughout the week, you will have the opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a young person with faith in today’s world. There is no “strategic plan” behind Taizé—just a way of life that embraces simplicity, prayer, and community. Taizé offers a non-judgmental space where young people from different backgrounds and experiences can come together, share their stories, and explore the beauty of diverse perspectives.

To get a flavour of Taizé you can watch the video below. It is quite dated (e.g. you would not be sleeping in a tent!) but sections from start-3:00 and 10:50-end are particularly helpful.

Each day is very structured, with a mix of prayer, work, study, and social time. Prayers are said three times a day, at 8am, 12noon, and 7pm, with meals taken around these times. Each service consists of short, Taizé songs, readings, and at least 10 minutes of silence; the whole last 20-40 minutes. The morning and afternoon slots are split between Bible groups and work: if you are in groups in the morning you will be working in the afternoon, or vice versa. The evening is your own.

Each day there is a Bible Introduction led by a Taizé brother (or guest) for lanuage-based groups of 60-70 people. From these, smaller groups are formed based on age to go deeper into the reading. These small groups provide space for discussion, reflection, and exploring questions about faith, life, and purpose. As the small groups remain the same throughout the week, relationships grow, and sharing can become very deep and transformative/ Whether you are seeking answers or simply looking for a space to listen and grow, these Bible Introductions are a space to explore.

Taizé has only a couple of paid employees: all the practical work of the community is done by resident volunteers and the week-by-week pilgrims. Everyone is expected to play their part, and many find that cleaning toilets or cooking for hundreds of mouths can be a lot of fun! You will be given your work party when you arrive, and you undertake this work during the morning or afternoon slot when you are not in Bible groups.

Dates: Arrive in Taizé on the afternoon of Sunday 29 June. Depart in the morning of Sunday 6 July. Time of departure from and arrival back in Edinburgh will depend on the mode of travel.

Cost: The contribution for Taizé for the week is approximately £100 per person. This contribution covers your stay and meals at Taizé. Travel costs will be extra, depending on mode of travel.

Travel: The mode of travel we will take to Taizé will depend on numbers travelling. One option is a coach from Edinburgh to Paris, then a train to Taizé. This would take just over a day, and cost approximately £120 for a return journey. We would seek to make best use of travel options in consultation with all who are travelling together.

Accommodation: Simple, dormitory-style accommodation for groups of 4-6 people. You will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, and toiletries. A sheet will be provided to cover the mattress. Toilets and showers are in shared blocks.

Meals: The three daily meals are communal, simple meals that nourish both body and spirit.

Code of Conduct: Taizé upholds a no-alcohol and no-drugs policy on site, ensuring a respectful, safe environment for all participants. There is a designated space for socialising after 7pm, and the flavour of ‘entertainment’ changes week-by-week, according to the countries and cultures present..

Dress code: There is nothing specific, although it is likely to be warm at this time of year in Taizé. If you wish to undertake manual work or work in the kitchen, then you should bring long trousers.

What else to bring: You will spend a lot of your day outside. Sunscreen and a sun hat would be important. Also, it is best to bring decent footware as there is quite a bit of walking involved (flat walking sandals would be fine but flip-flops are not ideal!)

What if money is really tight and I will struggle to afford the trip? You are asked for a contribution towards the costs of staying at Taizé, and whilst there are recommendations based on age and home country, these are not charges or a requirement: you pay what you can. Once we know who the group of pilgrims is going to be, there is a hope that we can do some fundraising together to assist with costs, particularly for those who would otherwise struggle. If you are interested in coming with us, but are worried about money, please do still sign up and speak (in confidence) with the Fee Reynolds (Advisor for Christian Life), who will support you as much as possible.

Can I keep in touch with my family at home? Yes. There is WiFi in Taizé (it is not super-fast but it does work), and you have free time, particularly 5-7pm and after evening prayer.

I am 36, can I come? Yes and no. Taizé only accept group bookings for those 35 and under. If you are 36 and over, you would need to book separately, although you may well be able to travel with us. You would also be asked to make a higher financial contribution, as you are able. If you are 36-40, you will be grouped together, although separate from those 35 and under.

Do those 35 and under ever meet up with older groups? Yes. Daily prayer, meals, and evening socialising is all ‘communal’.

Do I have to be a member of the Diocese to join the trip? No, you do not need to be a member. We welcome everyone between the ages of 18-35 years of age to join us from anywhere in the country (but note that any planned transport will be departing from Edinburgh).

Any further questions can be directed to the Advisor for Christian Life. When you are ready, please follow this link for the registration form.