The History of L'Arche began in a little village in France in 1964.
Jean Vanier, mentored by Father Thomas Philippe, set up home with Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux.

Forty years later l'Arche has spread to five continents.
In spite of integrating into hugely differing cultures, l'Arche has retained its own particular and special values and identity.

l'Arche in Paris was started up in 1973 by four students.

History

Four crucial encounters led to Jean Vanier founding l'Arche.
The son of a Canadian diplomat, Jean Vanier was a soldier before going on to be a a lecturer in Philosophy. He then studied Theology. His search to lead an increasingly spiritual life led him to Father Thomas Philippe a brilliant teacher and a dominican priest. Following a painful rift with his religious community, Father Thomas became in 1962 chaplain to an institution for men with learning disabilities. The residence was called Val Fleuri and was in Trosly-Breuil, a small town in France. Jean Vanier frequently visited his spiritual parent, Father Thomas. In 1964 he decided he was going to live with people with learning disabilities. He bought a little house in Trosly, called L'Arche, French for the Ark, as in Noah's Ark.

Raphael Simi lived with his family until the death of his mother. His having a learning disability led to his being 'placed' in an institution where he felt cut off from his life and the world. It was here that he met Jean Vanier who invited him to share a home with him.


Philippe Seux was 22 years old when his mother died. He was placed in an institution. 'I met Jean Vanier when I was living in a home which I wasn't allowed to leave even on for short excursions. When I came to L'Arche I exploded like a bomb. I said 'Phew' because I was so happy.


Dany spent one night and one day in the home in Jean's home in Trosly. He was so distressed that Jean Vanier did not know how to cope, and Dany was unable to stay.
The first 'sailors' of the Ark set out to sail on a very simple shared life, as represented on today's logo for l'Arche, which depicts three figures in a boat.

L'Arche soon became international because the community soon began to grow. Friends and former students soon came o join Jean Vanier. Some decided to found their own l'Arche community in their own countries. In 1969 the first home in Toronto was founded, and homes were founded in India, the Ivory Coast and in Honduras from the 1970s onwards. L'Arche opened up to different cultures. Although born out of a Catholic tradition, l'Arche communities are now ecumenical as well as inter-faith. Communities gather together regularly to share in the fundamental values of L'Arche. The Federation of l'Arche includes, 40 years after its inception, 131 communities spread throughout over 30 countries over five continents.

The Identity of l'Arche

The Identity of l'Arche was defined in a text put together in 2007 in an international gathering of L'Arche
We are people with and without intellectual disabilities, sharing life in communities belonging to an International Federation.
Mutual relationships and trust in God are at the heart of our journey together.
We celebrate the unique value of every person and recognise our need of one another.
Our mission is to :

• Make the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities known, revealed through mutually transforming relationships.
• Foster an environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members, whilst being faithful to the core values of our founding story.
• Engage in our diverse cultures, working together toward a more human society.

The communities of l'Arche are distinctive in the value they give to the nurturing of the spiritual life of both people with a learning disability and the assistants. Life in l'Arche challenges our values, our judgements about life and about people. It questions society's values, often based on beauty, intelligence, wealth, achievements and competition. Life in l'Arche invites us to explore on a daily basis certain mysteries: how for example can we find strength from vulnerability and even weakness. Such dynamics deepen spiritual awareness and enrich reflection, which lead to contemplation and celebration of life.


Religion does have its place in l'Arche in Paris. All religious traditions are welcomed and equally respected, each member being supported in his or her own faith or spiritual practice. Those who do not practise or belong to a particular faith are invited to explore their spirituality and deepen their own personal philosophy, inspired through sharing life with people with a learning disability.

L'Arche in Paris was founded in 1973

Four students, mentored by Jean Vanier, decided to open a home with three people with learning disabilities. They moved into a flat in the Parisian 15th district. Life there was rather bohemian, lively and intense, the community members being composed of young energetic, rather strong if varied personalities. In 1974 a second home was founded in the 20th district and since then the community in Paris has continued to grow. Most of its activites take place in the 15th district, but those remain true to the original spirit encompassing diversity and free speech as well as a sense of responsibility.

In France over the years, the number of homes has increased too. L'Arche in France is in 2008 made up of 26 communities and is supporting 5 new projects which are underway.