Zen meditation Paris 18th — Zazen for beginners

Come and practise zazen at the Zen Paris dojo, led by monks and nuns of the Kosen sangha, Deshimaru lineage. Beginners welcome — no prior experience needed.

Sunday · 9:55 am · Intro session €5

Address: 50 rue Labat, Espace Mélane, 75018 Paris
Metro: Château-Rouge (line 4) or Marcadet-Poissonniers (lines 4 and 12) · courtyard entrance
Duration: about 2 hours (ending around noon)

Email us the evening before → Full session guide
Zen Paris Dojo, 50 rue Labat — zazen session

How to come for the first time

  1. 1The evening before at the latest — send an email to dojo.zen.paris@gmail.com to let us know you are coming. The group is small and every new practitioner is welcomed individually.
  2. 2Sunday morning — arrive at 9:55 am exactly at 50 rue Labat (courtyard entrance). An experienced practitioner guides you on posture, hands, gaze, breathing — before the group session.
  3. 3The session — zazen (seated meditation), kinhin (slow walking), Heart Sutra. About two hours. You are not required to take part in the closing ceremony.

What to bring

  • ✓ Loose, dark clothing (no jeans, no bright colours)
  • ✓ €5 in cash or bank transfer for the first session
  • ✓ Zafus and zabutons are provided by the dojo — no need to bring your own

Prices

Initiation / 1st session €5
Single session €6
Book of 10 sessions €50
Annual membership €160

Frequently asked questions

Do I need meditation experience to come?

No. The initiation is open to everyone, with no prior experience or commitment required. One session is enough to discover the zazen posture, breathing and the spirit of the practice.

Is zazen a relaxation technique?

No. Zazen is not relaxation or visualisation. The posture — body, hands, gaze, breathing — is precise and cannot be improvised. It cannot be learned alone, which is why the initiation with a monk or nun is essential.

Do I need to be Buddhist?

No. The dojo welcomes everyone, regardless of religious or philosophical background. Zazen is a practice, not a belief.

Where exactly is the dojo?

50 rue Labat, Espace Mélane, 75018 Paris. Courtyard entrance. Metro Château-Rouge (line 4) or Marcadet-Poissonniers (lines 4 and 12). About 10 minutes' walk from Gare du Nord.

Learn more