La Neylière is our Marist guesthouse in the Monts du Lyonnais, south-east of Lyon, France. Our Founder, Fr Colin lived here and is buried in the Oratory.
A community of Marist Fathers has been resident in the house since 1854, when the founder of the congregation, Jean-Claude Colin and his companions came to live in La Neylière. The house, where the founder spent about twenty years towards the end of his life, is a place of tradition, reminding us of the origins of the congregation and enabling it to continue its work. The mission of our community here is primarily to facilitate access to the Marist heritage and tradition.
Other aspects of spiritual and cultural life within the facilities are the Museum of Oceania, the ‘Espace Colin’, the Chapel and the Oratory.
Oceania was the first overseas mission destination for the Marists at the time of their foundation in 1836. The Museum houses precious artifacts collected by the missionaries since that time.
The ‘Espace Colin’ – is a space in which visitors can discover the origins of the Marist project, the story of its founding generation, and how it has developed since then and continues to inspire Marists today. Included in this area as places of prayer and reflection, are the bedroom and office of Fr Jean-Claude Colin.
The chapel of Notre Dame de La Neylière is known for its beautiful stained-glass windows honouring Mary and the Holy Family. The smaller Oratory, where Fr Colin is buried, is decorated in a contemporary style with an Oceanian-style fresco depicting the life of Mary and the Marist mission today.
The guesthouse welcomes people seeking inspiration in their lives providing opportunities for encounters, training and spiritual retreats.
In the heart of the Monts du Lyonnais, it offers visitors a place of rest, peace and meditation, and numerous walking paths in the surrounding countryside. It is open all year round and to everyone: to the Marist family from Europe and around the world, as well as to local residents and groups.
La Neylière also supports social and ecclesial activities in the locality.
Today the Marist community participates in the life of the house, organises activities, celebrates the Eucharist daily and prays together in the morning and evening.