‘My predecessors told me: this house has a soul. More than that, it is a haven of peace. The stones have kept the memory of services rendered, prayers whispered, sufferings laid down and joys shared. God is at work in this place, there is no doubt about it!’ This is how Véronique Leguay, director of the Don Bosco School of Life, describes the Sainte-Marguerite estate located in Trie-Château, in the Oise region, 80 kilometres from Paris. It is a house where every year young people aged 18 to 23 come to have a formative human and spiritual experience.

For Father Xavier Ernst, a Salesian of Don Bosco, the Sainte-Marguerite estate embodies the Salesian home: ‘A “home” that welcomes, a “parish” that evangelises, a “school” that prepares for life and a “playground” where friends can meet and enjoy themselves.’ Body, heart and soul are nourished here.

The Sainte-Marguerite estate is a place steeped in history

It was first a leprosarium in the 14th century. In the 16th century, it became a convent for Franciscan nuns, then for Récollets (Franciscans), who remained there until the Revolution. In 1961, the estate was bought by the Permanent Assembly of Chambers of Agriculture. It underwent numerous transformations to provide group accommodation, catering and a convivial setting. In 1999, thanks to a patron, the estate became the home of the Don Bosco School of Life. Its establishment allowed it to rediscover its Christian and missionary dimension.

Today, this unique house is not limited to the school: it also welcomes groups. In 2025, 83 Christian and non-Christian groups (more than 3,000 people) were accommodated there: high school students during the ‘Jeunes Parlent aux Jeunes’ (Young People Speak to Young People) days organised by the students of the graduating class, parish groups, children’s choirs, associations, sessions, seminarians and consecrated persons, camps (including Bosco Kids and MSJ).

‘This place is meant to be family-friendly. We pay particular attention to the quality of the welcome and hospitality we offer. Our availability and our simple actions are a testimony to everyone who passes through this house,’ Véronique says.

This living heritage needs our support

The estate comprises 3,000 m² of buildings and 4 hectares of grounds. With the passage of time and the vagaries of the weather, the boiler needs to be replaced, the fire control centre brought up to standard and the woodland in the grounds needs maintenance. Replacing the boiler alone will cost €190,000. Without this work, the Sainte-Marguerite estate will no longer be able to provide a welcoming environment or formation for young people.

How can you help?

One year at the Don Bosco School of Life costs around €11,000 per young person. To make it accessible to as many people as possible, each student pays only half of this amount. Your donation helps to finance the remaining amount: it directly supports a young person in their personal and spiritual growth, while enabling the school to invest in essential renovations.

For further information, visit the Don Bosco Foundation website.

To find out more about the school of life, visit its website.