Tempel La Gendronniere, Buddhist temple in Valaire, France
The temple encompasses 80 hectares of land with a forest, small lakes, and a late 19th-century chateau serving as part of the complex.
The International Zen Association acquired the property in 1979 under Master Taisen Deshimaru's guidance and established it as a center for Soto Zen Buddhism.
The temple integrates traditional practices with artistic workshops including calligraphy, pottery, flower arrangement, and choral singing throughout the year.
Daily activities begin at dawn with 90-minute Zazen meditation sessions, followed by structured routines that emphasize mindfulness in every action.
The temple holds the distinction of being the largest Zen Buddhist center in Europe, featuring a 400-square-meter meditation hall for ceremonies.
Location: Valaire
GPS coordinates: 47.47969,1.25518
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:55
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