Le Moulin de Chaves

Le Moulin de Chaves was built in 1893 as a jewelry factory. It specialized in crucifixes and rosaries and employed 160 people at its peak, until it closed in 1947. The property then stood abandoned for many years. From 1992 to 2004 it was a Zen monastery in the Soto lineage of Taisen Deshimaru, operating under Sando Kaisen. The street address still carries the memory: Rue de l'Ancienne Bijouterie.

The present chapter began in late 2004. Gail and Martin Aylward had spent years in the Pays Cathare region of the French Pyrenees, where in 1994 they founded the Tapovan Dharma Community. For the first years there was no mains water and no electricity, until a government grant paid for a solar installation. Meditation took place in a canvas geodesic dome or under a large oak tree in the garden. With Ian Davidson and Elizabeth Jacobs, regular visitors who had led ecological retreats and reforesting projects, they went looking for a larger property. They found the Moulin, moved in, and began welcoming visitors in early 2005.

Teachings and practices are grounded in the Buddhist tradition of Insight Meditation, also known as Mindfulness Meditation or Vipassana. Martin Aylward is resident teacher, joined by visiting teachers from various spiritual backgrounds. Past faculty includes Stephen and Martine Batchelor, Sarah Powers, Rupert Spira and Frank Ostaseski. Daily life follows five Buddhist virtues and includes working meditation, called karma yoga. The meditation hall is a consecrated place of practice, and candles and incense are allowed only in the Metta Mandir.

The grounds have shady riverbanks and bamboo groves, and guests may swim in the river during free time. Rooms are in the main house and in nine single ensuite rooms attached to the Tara hall. There are also Moulin tents with proper beds. Meals are primarily plant-based and gluten-free, served outdoors buffet-style. Renovation has been slow and largely done by residents, friends and volunteers, using local oak and Douglas fir, hemp and lime, straw and clay, and recycled materials. The Moulin describes itself as a refuge open to people of all ethnicities, orientations, gender identities, ages, abilities and religions.