There's nothing better than a walk in the forest to recharge your batteries! It's the perfect place to admire nature while isolating yourself from the urban chaos. True green lungs of the country, forests cover more than 36% of the French territory. From north to south, walkers and hikers come to get lost in them with enthusiasm in all seasons. Autumn offers the forests their most beautiful colours, but people also come here in summer to take refuge in the shade of the leafy trees, in spring when nature is reborn and even in winter when the vegetation is covered with a white mantle. For your next Sunday strolls, here is our selection of the most beautiful forests of France
If you want to become an expert on the subject, read also our article on the most mysterious forests in the world.
The forest of Fontainebleau, the monumental
If there's one forest that should be included in this ranking, it's obviously Fontainebleau, in Seine-et-Marne! Recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, it is a gigantic forest covering 25,000 hectares with the famous Fontainebleau castle at its centre. In addition to the hikers who come to explore its innumerable paths, this forest is well known to climbing or rock-climbing enthusiasts
The forest of Paimpont, the legendary Brocéliande
The forest of Paimpont is better known as Brocéliande. This Mecca of Arthurian legends is a legendary site that abounds with wonders such as Viviane's house or Merlin's Tomb. Mentioned in the work of Chrétien de Troyes, the forest of Brocéliande is the scene of the adventures of the Knights of the Round Table. Ready to set off in search of the Grail along its many paths?
The forest of Vizzavona, Corsica on the land side
Crossed by the very famous GR20, the forest of Vizzavona is one of the green lungs of Corsica. It covers 1 634 ha where one can see the typical vegetation of the island (larici pines, maritime pines...). Whether you reach it on foot or by train (Vizzavona station is on the Bastia-Ajaccio line), this forest is a haven of freshness in summer. During the walk, you will discover the Agnone waterfalls which lead to a beautiful natural swimming pool
The Grande Chartreuse forest, in the heart of the mountains
The Grande Chartreuse forest extends over two mountainous French departments: Savoie and Isère. It is here that in the 11th century Saint Bruno and six disciples came to found the Carthusian Order, whose monastery is still admired today. This forest, imbued with spirituality and serenity, shelters a landscape where fir trees and beeches reign supreme, overhung by monumental limestone cliffs
The forest of Compiègne, a royal expanse
In the Oise, the forest of Compiègne was very popular with the French sovereigns who came to hunt there. It is the third largest state-owned forest in France, but it is also a site steeped in history: let us not forget that it was here that the Armistice of 1918 was signed, in the clearing of Rethondes. In addition to its historical importance, the forest of Compiègne is also, since the 19th century, a very popular place for walks where you can discover ponds, pools and remarkable trees along the marked trails.
The forest of Orleans, the largest forest in the world
The Orléans Forest, also known as the Forest of the Lodges, covers 34,500 hectares and is made up of three massifs: Orléans, Ingrannes and Lorris. It is the largest state-owned forest in France. It is criss-crossed by 200 km of forest roads and 1,000 km of hiking trails that can be covered on foot, by bike or on horseback. Its biodiversity is breathtaking, we can find several species of birds of prey, including the osprey.
The Amazon rainforest, the green lung of French Guiana
As the most wooded French department, it is considered that French Guiana is 98% covered by forests! Part of the Amazonian forest is protected in the French Guiana National Park, the largest in France and the European Union. A real treasure trove of biodiversity, this park is home to 5,800 plant species, 192 species of mammals and over 400 species of freshwater fish. It is unquestionably one of France's most beautiful natural treasures.
The forest of Chaux, between Jura and Doubs
East of the town of Dole, the Forest of Lime is a vast expanse of hardwoods covering more than 20,000 hectares. In the past, the families of lumberjacks and charcoal burners lived in the heart of this forest. Their houses can still be admired in the former forest hamlet, which has now become an ecomuseum called "Les baraques du 14". In addition to these interesting historical testimonies, the interest of this forest undoubtedly lies in its soothing atmosphere and its rich fauna composed of roe deer, deer or wild boar
The Iraty Forest, on the borders of Spain
In the Basque Country, the Iraty forest is one of the largest beech forests in Western Europe. It owes its name to the river Iratiko-Erreka, which flows down to Spain. At the foot of the Pyrenees, this forest located between France and Spain has long been inaccessible. It is therefore a preserved nature, shaped solely by pastoralism. From May to November, shepherds and their herds are always present.
The Eawy forest, in the heart of Bray country
The forest of Eawy is located in Normandy, in the country of Bray, and reveals one of the most beautiful beech forests in France. In addition to its remarkable trees, this forest shelters a rather rare plant species, the wild orchid. The Allée des Limousins crosses the forest from north to south. It is the main walking path, but it is not the only one, as several mountain bike trails or equestrian routes allow you to discover the area.
The Boscodon forest, a remarkable fir forest
In the French Alps, the Boscodon forest has a thousand-year-old history. Situated in the middle of the Écrins National Park, it extends over 850 hectares and borders the Cistercian abbey of Boscodon. The latter, like the forest, dates back to the 12th century. The forest of Boscodon is wonderfully anchored in the mountain landscape, revealing countless fir trees which make it its primary characteristic. An alpine jewel to be discovered.
The wood of Païolive, a mysterious maze
During a stay in Ardèche, a walk in the woods of Païolive is a must. You will discover incredible blocks of limestone sculpted by erosion. During the walk, the stones take shape and you think you see a bear, a lion and why not ghosts! Three trails allow you to explore this unusual place, and it is best not to stray too far from it, or you risk getting lost in this natural labyrinth! It is even said that a certain place in the woods still shelters a virgin forest, never reached by man.
The Chambord estate, nature and culture
Like its castle, the Chambord estate embodies royal splendour. This enclosed park of 5,500 hectares is one of the largest in France. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Chambord estate is also a wildlife reserve inhabited by wild boar and numerous deer that can be heard roaring in the autumn. A visit to the Château de Chambord is inseparable from a stroll in the park, on foot, by bike, or even by horse-drawn carriage!
The Haguenau forest, plant mosaic
In the heart of Alsace, in the Bas-Rhin region, the Haguenau forest is a 13,406-hectare green setting. It is the sixth largest forest massif in France and is home to a wide variety of trees (oaks, beeches, but also pines). As for the fauna, rare species such as the yellow-bellied ringing toad have been recorded. Numerous hiking trails are available to visitors to discover this exceptional wooded area.
