Lerab Ling

Lerab Ling is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery set in the French countryside, featuring architectural elements characteristic of Himalayan temples combined with local landscape integration. The main building contains multiple levels housing sacred art, statues, and spaces dedicated to meditation and spiritual practice.

This monastery emerged in the early 2000s and received official establishment status, establishing itself as a significant Buddhist center in Europe. The founding represented a milestone in bringing Himalayan spiritual traditions to Western regions.

The monastery creates a space where Tibetan Buddhist traditions are actively practiced in rural France, visible in the statues, paintings, and daily rituals of the monks. This blend shows how religious customs have taken root far from their place of origin.

The monastery is open during the warmer months when the rural location becomes most accessible to visitors. Various activities are offered including guided tours through the grounds and introductions to Buddhist practices.

The site sits on land previously known by an ancient Occitan name meaning 'place of springs' before its transformation into a monastery. A statue of an important Buddhist master stands within a nearby lake, serving as a focal point for practice and reflection.