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Taizé

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Saône-et-Loire

Hooked to a rocky spur, Taizé blossoms in the middle of the southern part of the woods of Pendaines. Crossed by the Nolainge, the commune is bordered by the river Grosne delimiting its municipal territory. The story of Taizé is closely related to that of Father Roger. The community of Taizé is a place of religious prayers and songs where a hundred monks still work today. It became the main activity of the village. You can retreat there or come and gather and pray there. It floats like an air of holiness in this retired village, conducive to the devotion and expression of the Christian faith. It is in 1940 that Roger Schutz, called since then Brother Roger, chose to leave his native Switzerland to settle in Taizé. The choice of the place in free zone, but nevertheless sufficiently close to the front is not insignificant. Brother Roger founded this community, destined to relieve the occupied country that was then France. Since then, the community has grown steadily and has become a high place of pilgrimage, welcoming every year hundreds of believers who have come to express their faith.

Geographical information

MunicipalityTaizé
Postcode71250
Latitude46.5132480 (N 46° 30’ 48”)
Longitude4.6770490 (E 4° 40’ 37”)
AltitudeFrom 210m to 263m
Surface area3.16 km²
Population197 inhabitants
Density62 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureMâcon (33 km, 37 min)
Insee code71532
IntercommunalityCC du Clunisois
DepartmentSaône-et-Loire
TerritoryBurgundy
RegionBurgundy-Franche-Comté

Nearest cities & towns

Ameugny1.2 km (2 min)
Massilly3.2 km (5 min)
Flagy3.6 km (9 min)
Cormatin4.5 km (6 min)
Cortevaix6.6 km (9 min)
Cortambert7.3 km (10 min)
Malay7.4 km (9 min)
Bray7.9 km (14 min)
Lournand8.4 km (11 min)
Bonnay-Saint-Ythaire8.4 km (12 min)
Chapaize8.8 km (10 min)
Chissey-lès-Mâcon9 km (12 min)
Savigny-sur-Grosne10.1 km (13 min)
Salornay-sur-Guye10.6 km (13 min)

Things to see and do

Taizé has an important historical and religious heritage. Well before the arrival of Brother Roger, as if the village was already predestined to host an important religious community, the municipality was endowed with a magnificent church of Romanesque style. Built at the top of the rocky spur, the listed monumental building dominates the village as if it diffused its protective aura to the houses. The church of St. Mary Magdalene dates from the first quarter of the 12th century and is mentioned in writings for the first time in 1156. It is also designated as a crossing point on the way to Santiago de Compostela.

To the east of the church rises a castle of the XIXth century which belongs today to the community of Taizé. The community, for its part, built its own church and inaugurated it in 1962 as the Church of Reconciliation. An immense carillon marks the entrance of the community. A round tower, vestige of the past, remains at the top of the village, just like the ruins of the old castle. The community has accommodation, but also tents set up in its gardens to welcome pilgrims who come each year to participate in the World Youth Days or out of a simple retreat where they are welcomed with ease.

Events and festivities

In December of each year, the community of Taizé organizes Pilgrimages of Trust on the international scene. During five days, the pilgrims travel to a city of the world to communicate during the New Year period. The pilgrims lived at the rhythm of the community of Taizé. Throughout the year, the latter organizes numerous events internationally, but also within the community itself at Taizé. This is an opportunity to bring together believers from all over the world in one place to pray in unison in total harmony and faith.

Weather

Friday 29 march
Min. 10°C - Max. 13°C
Day
Night
Saturday 30 march
Min. 8°C - Max. 14°C
Day
Night
Sunday 31 march
Min. 9°C - Max. 13°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Canoe hire on the Saône
Sports sensations9 € to 20 € Tournus (19 km)
Visit to the castle of Alphonse de Lamartine
Culture and education10 € Saint-Point (19.5 km)
Rental bike delivery in Burgundy
Sports sensations19 € Saint-Marcel (34 km)
Motocross, trial or enduro lessons
Sports sensations37 € Joudes (50 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Georama discovery trail of Culles-les-Roches
HikeEasy2:00Culles-les-Roches (14.9 km)
From Maizeray to Saint-Martin-du-Tartre
HikeEasy2:00Saint-Martin-du-Tartre (15.1 km)
Towpath along the Saône
HikeEasy5:00Tournus (18.8 km)
Solutré Rock
HikeEasy1:00Solutré-Pouilly (24 km)
Montaigu Castle and the Hamlet of Touches
HikeEasy2:00Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu (34 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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