The Buddhist Traveler in Paris

Not just for lovers, the city of light holds treasures for dharma devotees in all seasons.

Buddhism in France has come a long way since 1912, when the writer and explorer Alexandra David-Néel introduced herself to the 13th Dalai Lama as “the first Buddhist in Paris.” Today, in a population of around 67 million, there are an estimated 600,000 Buddhists countrywide—two-thirds of Asian origin, with the majority from China and the former French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia). Another 5 million or so French consider themselves Buddhist “sympathizers.” These numbers may be surprising in this land of ardent secularists, but when it comes to Buddhism, and especially His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the French have a major soft spot.

The Buddhist traveler in Paris will find plenty of opportunities to practice meditation, hear Buddhist teachings, and view Buddhist art. Though most meditations and classes are conducted in French, they are easy to follow for those with a rudimentary understanding of the language, and many visiting teachers offer talks in English with French translation.