Centre Kalachakra is a vibrant Buddhist center established in 1985, dedicated to sharing the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism with both beginners and experienced practitioners. The center operates in two locations: one in Paris near the scenic Canal Saint-Martin, and a retreat center in Saint Cosme en Vairais in the Sarthe region, about two hours southwest of Paris.

The Paris center was established following Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s visit to France in 1985, with the current location on Passage Delessert being acquired in 1999 thanks to a generous donor. After considering three possible properties, Lama Zopa Rinpoche chose the current building (a former printing press) through divination. The center was officially inaugurated in 2000 with Lama Zopa Rinpoche in attendance.

A significant milestone in the center’s history was His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Paris in 2003, an event organized collectively by Centre Kalachakra, five other Buddhist centers from the Ile de France region, and the Paris Bureau of Tibet. Around 12,500 people attended the public events held at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy.

In 2008, the center expanded by acquiring a retreat facility in the Perche region. The Centre de Retrait de Saint Cosme en Vairais was inaugurated in May 2010 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and has since become a great success, hosting around thirty retreats each year. The retreat center features comfortable accommodations for more than forty guests, a beautiful gompa (meditation hall), a modern yoga/classroom space, and a Kadampa stupa.

Centre Kalachakra offers a diverse program of activities including:

• Daily meditation sessions

• Workshops and teachings in both French and English

• Retreats on various topics (currently including “The Body in Practice” from April 11-16, 2025, and “Buddha Nature” from April 18-21, 2025)

• Monthly weekend sessions on “Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth”

• Special initiations and teachings with prominent Gelugpa teachers

The retreat center in Saint Cosme provides ideal conditions for spiritual practice in a peaceful natural setting within the Perche Regional Park. It offers various retreat formats including guided group retreats, Vipassana retreats, meditation retreats for all levels, individual retreats, and calm abiding retreats.

Centre Kalachakra is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) and continues to foster a diverse, supportive community for those interested in studying and practicing in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Contact Information:

• Website: www.centre-kalachakra.com

• Email: info@centre-kalachakra.net