Forests, Tales and Legends In the Forêts National Park

The Forêts National Park is an amazing area to say the least. Its forests, centuries old, are home to biodiversity treasures and so many mysteries of stone and greenery. A world of enchantment opens up for all walkers able to hang about and look around.

The Forêts National Park is an amazing area to say the least. Its forests, centuries old, are home to biodiversity treasures and so many mysteries of stone and greenery. A world of enchantment opens up for all walkers able to hang about and look around.

Huge forests with narrow roads leading down to hidden combes where streams whisper. Unspoilt villages, reflecting centuries of human activity in contact with the forest: peace and quiet, labouring monks, the clash of ironworking.. Here, the forest is full of stories and legends.

The Forêts National Park, the land of the beech tree, has an average of more than fifteen tree species per hectare. Walkers will be in turn amazed by its misty landscapes of steep, hidden valleys and the dazzling light above its incredible forest canopy.

Fairy-tale wildlife

Even though the Forêts National Park is first and foremost the kingdom of large ungulates, such as Fallow Deer, Roe Deer or Wild Boar, a subtler and more characteristic wildlife has also taken up residence here. The European Wildcat finds ample space here to establish its territory and hunt undisturbed. More secretly, there are invertebrates living here in peace, including rare insects and endangered butterflies and moths, such as the Pericallia tiger moth or the Scarce Fritillary.

Unravelling the mystery of the Vingeanne Gorges

Does the name come from the disappearance of Jeanne, the wife of a lord during the Crusades, or has it derived from the word Vindogena, which means white river? The mystery remains. In this wild valley, the river cascades between two steep limestone walls and forms the only canyon in Champagne. The slopes of these gorges are populated by southern and mountain plant species, some of which, like the Martagon Lily, are so rare that they are protected at regional level.

Going back in time on Mont Lassois

Mout Lassois bears witness to a long-gone era. It was here that the famous and imposing Vix Krater was discovered, placed in the tomb of an Iron Age princess. It is also a great place for hiking for the whole family with breath-taking views. In Faverolles, a few kilometres away and centuries ago, a rich member of the Lingones tribe had a majestic mausoleum built. Go deep into the forest in search of it, and back in time to the first Roman emperors!

Discover the riches of the forest near the Marots Ponds

In Villiers-le-Duc, two trails await you at the end of a wooded valley dotted with ponds made by monks in the Middle Ages. Via the Val des Choues trail or the bird song trail, admire unique wildlife and plant species that can only be found in the mountains or in northern Europe. It is a paradise for naturalists, leaving them enchanted in the shade of tall beech and oak trees, some of which are over a hundred years old.