There are many pagodas in Paris and the Île-de-France region, but not all are open to the public or to visitors. Near Sèvres, in the Hauts-de-Seine department, there's a Vietnamese pagoda, Chua Tinh Tam, to enable the faithful to practice their religion. Although it is not open to the public, or only on rare occasions (certain editions of the Journées du Patrimoine, for example), the building is nonetheless well worth a visit, and is easy to spot from the street.
Built on three levels, the pagoda's distinctive features include its twisted roofs and bell tower (the stupa), which is believed to contain a Buddha relic. Believers gather here on Sunday mornings in the prayer hall (according to Wikipedia).
If you like to discover these unusual pagodas, there are several in the Paris region: among them, Wat Thammapatip and its thousand and one golden statues in Lieusaint (77), the Villebon-sur-Yvette pagoda (91) and its beautiful garden, the unmissable Pagode de Vincennes in Paris, the Khan Anh pagoda in Evry... When you visit, don't forget that these are places of worship first and foremost: respect for the site, its customs and practices is therefore essential.
The most beautiful pagodas in Paris and the Ile-de-France region, for an immersion in Asia
Even though we're in Paris and the Ile-de-France region, it's still possible to get a change of scenery: head for the pagodas scattered throughout the region, for a one-way trip to Asia! [Read more]
The most beautiful pagodas in Paris and the Ile-de-France region, for an immersion in Asia
