Trúc Lâm Thiền Viện: discover the traditional Vietnamese pagoda in Villebon-sur-Yvette (91)

Built in the 1980s and 1990s, the Trúc Lâm Thiền Viện pagoda is a Buddhist place of worship in the Essonne département. Like the famous pagodas in Evry, Vincennes and Lieusaint, it's open to the public and allows you to discover - in keeping with all places of worship - its pretty garden and this unusual building in the Paris region.

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At the pagoda, the most important space is certainly the prayer hall, richly decorated to accommodate the prayers of the faithful as well as services. Another room is dedicated to Buddha, and another to the pagoda's founder, Thich Thiên Châu. One Sunday every 15 days (10am-12pm), a meditation session is organized and open to all.

Access to the prayer room is only possible if there is no ceremony in progress, and "during prayer times, visitors can come and participate", explains Mai Ho, a volunteer for theAssociation des Bouddhistes Vietnamiens en France, who also runs guided tours of the pagoda.

Otherwise, the pagoda is open daily from 9am to 11am and from 3pm to 5pm. TheParis Saclay tourist office offers regular tours of the Buddhist institute, including a visit to the garden and prayer hall, followed by a vegetarian lunch prepared by volunteers. This is an opportunity to discover the different ways of praying, the Buddhist traditions, the festivals celebrated throughout the year, but above all, to discover the beautiful garden in detail.

The next tours are scheduled for September 2025: expect to pay €22 per person, bearing in mind that places sell out fast, so don't delay in reserving yours! The pagoda is accessible by public transport, using RER line B: get off at the Lozère stop, then walk for around thirty minutes. To discover this traditional Vietnamese pagoda, head to Trúc Lâm Thiền Viện in Villebon-sur-Yvette!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.