Jean Vanier

L’Arche was founded by Jean Vanier in 1964. The son of a former Governor General of Canada, Vanier served during World War II with the Royal Navy and then with the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1950, he left the navy to study philosophy and theology, and began to teach.

In 1964, Jean became aware of the plight of thousands of people with learning disabilities who were institutionalised in France. In that same year he took the radical step of inviting two men, Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux, to leave the institution where they lived and share their lives with him. Together they began L’Arche in a small house in Trosly-Breuil, France.

In 1968 the first L’Arche community in Canada opened. Gradually, more communities were founded around the world by people inspired by Jean's work. Jean remained the leader of the Trosly-Breuil Community until 1981 and he lives there to this day.

He has been, and remains, an inspiring teacher. His life is testament to a radically different way of living and being in the world.

Jean’s awards include the French Legion of Honour, Companion of the Order of Canada, the Rabbi Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award 2001, the International Paul VI Award, and the Templeton Prize. He has furthermore been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Jean Vanier, and those who came to share his vision, learnt two important truths in the early years, which remain at the heart of L’Arche today. People with learning disabilities have a great deal to contribute to society and, by living in intentional community with people with and without learning disabilities - living with diversity and difference - we open ourselves up to be challenged and to grow.

Jean Vanier’s books include Life’s Great Questions, Becoming Human, Community and Growth, Befriending the Stranger and From Brokenness to Community.

Latest

Emilia: Reflections on my gap year in L'Arche

Emilia came to L’Arche Ipswich from Germany on her gap year. Before leaving the Community to study teaching, Emilia reflects on her growth as part of the Community.
These are the things I want to tell you about Joe Ulleri

Joe Ulleri was a much-loved core member in L’Arche Manchester. His death, three years ago, attracted national media interest last week when a jury inquest ruled that failures in his care, while in hospital, constituted neglect, which contributed to his death. In this reflective piece, Nem Tomlinson from L’Arche Manchester shares her memories and stories of Joe.
'If there’s space for everyone then there’s space for me and therefore there’s space for me how I am.'

Reflections from L'Arche Ipswich
Easter Appeal 2019

This year, our Easter Appeal is raising money for our Communities in India.

Faith and Light

As well as L'Arche, Jean Vanier co-founded the international Faith and Light organisation. The idea was conceived when Jean’s friend, Marie-Helene Matthieu, introduced him to Gerard and Camille, the parents of two boys with severe learning disabilities. Gerard and Camille wanted to take their sons on a trip to Lourdes but were told they would disturb the other pilgrims. In response, Jean and Marie-Helene spent three years planning a pilgrimage for people with learning disabilities and their fam
Thérèse Vanier

Thérèse Vanier established the first L’Arche community in the UK, in Canterbury, in 1974. She is remembered for her determination and drive to affect change in the world, her humour, and her great love of people; especially people with learning disabilities and in the last stages of life.
Henri Nouwen

In the summer of 1985 Henri Nouwen joined the L’Arche community in Trosly-Brueil, France. Henri spent nine months living and sharing in life with people with and without learning disabilities. Today, Henri Nouwen remains a much loved spiritual guide to many for the way in which he so openly wrote about his own struggles, vulnerabilities, frailties and doubts.

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L'Arche in the UK

There are twelve L’Arche Communities based across the UK.
What we do

In a world that values winning, L’Arche Communities are places where people with and without learning disabilities can discover who they are and not just what they can do.
Statement from L'Arche, following the verdict at the inquest into the death of Joe Ulleri

Speaking outside the Coroner’s Court in Manchester, Kevin Coogan, Community Leader of L’Arche Manchester, read out the following statement on behalf of L’Arche.
Jean Vanier

Jean Vanier founded L'Arche in 1964, after becoming aware of the plight of thousands of people with learning disabilities who were institutionalised in France. He has been, and remains, an inspiring teacher. His life is testament to a radically different way of living and being in the world.Jean’s awards include the French Legion of Honour, Companion of the Order of Canada, the Rabbi Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award 2001, the International Paul VI Award, and the Templeton Prize.
Summer in the Forest

Summer in the Forest is a full-length feature film about our founder Jean Vanier and the L’Arche communities in Trosly, France and Bethlehem. It tells how two L’Arche communities, though quite different from those in the UK, share our common values.
Jean Vanier interview: belonging in a time of loneliness.

We interviewed Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche, at his home in the L'Arche Trosly Community in France. Listen to Jean as he reflects on ageing and fragility, loss and loneliness, and the mystery that compels people to L'Arche.
Supported living

While some individuals wish to live in a home with other people, others prefer to be supported to live independently. At L’Arche we help people to choose a way of life that feels right for them, and for their families.
Shared living

Across our twelve Communities in the UK we offer a range of high quality, person-centred residential support to more than two hundred individuals with learning disabilities.