Practical information

General information

• To participate in our retreats, membership of the AZI (Association Zen Internationale) is compulsory at a rate of €45/year.
• Arrival at the temple is always on the eve of the retreat in the late afternoon, between 4pm and 7pm (evening meal at 8.30pm). Departure is scheduled after lunch on the last day.
• Travel expenses are the responsibility of each participant.
• Animals are not allowed.
• Minors must have parental authorisation.
• In the event of cancellation, it is essential to notify the Secretariat in advance by telephone on 02 54 44 04 86. No refunds will be given.

What to bring?

For meditation

Dark, comfortable and loose-fitting clothing (black, brown, navy blue). A zafu, meditation cushion. The temple has a few zafus. A shop is available if you wish to purchase objects and clothing for practice (kimono, zafu, bowls, etc.).

For meals

A bowl, a spoon, a fork. A cloth measuring approximately 40 cm x 40 cm to wrap the bowl in. A small white cloth measuring 20 cm x 20 cm to wipe the bowl or a set of oryoki (traditional bowls) if you have one.

For everyday use

Shoes and work clothes, sandals or flip-flops (easily removable), slippers for indoors.

For the beds

For hygiene reasons, sheets and pillowcases are compulsory even if you use a sleeping bag.

It is strongly recommended that you bring your own travel sheets for a single bed, in which case it is also possible to rent them on site: sheets, fitted sheet, pillowcase for 15 euros. The sheets are washed off-site, which explains the price. For reasons of hygiene, sheets and pillowcases are compulsory, even if you use a sleeping bag.

For washing

Biodegradable hygiene products. Your commitment supports the ‘Green Temples’ project.

To minimise the volume of waste and keep this place free of pollutants, here are some practical tips

How to get to La Gendronnière?

By train

A free shuttle to the Gendronnière is available from Onzain station (10km from the temple). Regardless of the retreat you are attending, arrivals are always between 16:00 and 19:00.

Please let us know your arrival time at the station when you register.

By car

The Gendronnière temple is located 200 kilometres from Paris and 15 kilometres from Blois.

Take the A10 motorway to Blois, cross the Loire bridge and follow signs for Montrichard. At Candé-sur-Beuvron, cross the bridge towards Chaumont-sur-Loire. After 200 metres, at the bend, continue straight ahead. At the top of the hill, after 300 metres, a sign on the left indicates Gendronnière.

GPS coordinates: Lat 47.479392, Long 1.256427.

Accommodation

Depending on the rate, we offer accommodation in a dormitory, a double room or a single room (limited places). Accommodation is allocated according to the date of receipt of your registration and the places available.

Whatever your accommodation, we strive to make it comfortable. During the summer period, we also offer accommodation in large group tents at a preferential rate.

Rates

They vary according to the length of stay, the type of activity and the accommodation chosen.

You can find out the prices of the different retreats by referring to the calendar of the Gendronnière.

Join the International Zen Association (AZI)

To be able to participate in our retreats (sesshins, thematic retreats, Gyôji weeks or even long-term retreats), you must be a member of the Association Zen Internationale (AZI).

Your membership gives you access to:

• the sesshins organised by the AZI at the Gendronnière Zen temple;
• all the temples, dojos and Zen centres in Europe;
• information on the life of the sanghas and places of practice;
• publications: ‘Revue Zen’ (bilingual English/French) which offers in-depth articles, teachings and texts on Zen Buddhism; the periodical ‘Sangha’ (bilingual English/French) which communicates information concerning the practice and life of the sanghas.

You also benefit from:

• the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting.
• The AZI membership fee allows you to participate in this meeting, to vote on the topics discussed and to receive the report summarising the future orientations and options.
• Civil/Personal Accident Insurance covering the risk of accidents when practising in France and worldwide. The AZI membership fee protects all individuals who are members of the association and have paid their annual membership fee.

This membership contributes to a wide range of activities:

• You contribute to the maintenance of the infrastructure and equipment necessary for practising in good conditions.
• You support the efforts of those who volunteer to organise the practice and welcome you.
• You contribute to the spread of Zen in Europe.

Click on this page to join AZI

Contact

You can contact the Gendronnière temple by

• telephone: 02 54 44 04 86
• e-mail: lagendronniere@zen-azi.org
• post: Temple zen de la Gendronnière, 41120 Valaire, FRANCE

Welcome booklet

You will find all the information you need for your stay at La Gendronnière in our Welcome Booklet