Location
Songtsen has groups of people working in various countries all over the world, but its main base is in the Dordogne, France. In the heart of the Vézère valley are the houses of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche and Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, as well as several stupas and 3-year retreat centres. Over a period of 20 years, these masters frequently visited the Dordogne and transmitted vast collections of teachings. It is in this area that Songtsen’s activities have grown and flourished.
Songtsen's main offices and teaching location
View of the Vézère valley
from the Côte de Jor, Dordogne
Most of the organization’s office structures, as well as its teaching and retreat facilities, are located on the Côte de Jor, a forested ridge with spectacular views over the Vézère valley. The Chanteloube, Siddhartha and KRF offices are located in a restored French house known as La Bicanderie. Nestled in a secluded hillside and surrounded by forest are the traditional retreat centres of Thekchok Osel Chöling and Thekchok Ngayap Chöling.
Most of the organization’s office structures, as well as its teaching and retreat facilities, are located on the Côte de Jor, a forested ridge with spectacular views over the Vézère valley. The Chanteloube, Siddhartha and KRF offices are located in a restored house known as La Bicanderie. Nestled on a secluded hillside and surrounded by forest are the traditional retreat centres of Thekchok Osel Chöling (Chanteloube) and Thekchok Ngayap Chöling (Bois Bas).
The Padmakara office, Songtsen’s Tibetan translation department, is situated a few kilometres down the road between the Côte de Jor and the village of Plazac.
La Sonnerie
La Sonnerie, Dordogne, France
Also located on the Côte de Jor, between Chanteloube and the village of Le Moustier, is La Sonnerie,- Tashi Pelbar Ling (the name given by Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche). La Sonnerie was Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s European home for more than 25 years. It is now the residence reserved for visiting lamas and its grounds are the location for the programmes and events organized by Chanteloube throughout the year.
Rinchen Ling
Rinchen ling retreat centre
About 45 minutes from St. Léon Sur Vézère and only 10 minutes from Perigueux is Thekchok Rinchenling, a retreat centre where individuals can undertake short or long-term retreats.
For more information, please send an email to retreats@songtsen.org.
About the Dordogne area
The Dordogne landscape
The Dordogne, also known as the province of Périgord, is located about 300 miles southwest of Paris (a four hour train ride), 70 miles east of Bordeaux, and a few hours north of the Pyrenees. Influenced by a varying climate, the Dordogne has a variety of landscapes, rich fertile plains, rolling forested hills and limestone gorges.
See also: