Stroll through the majestic Orléans forest, the largest national forest in France! Dotted with trees and lakes, this paradise for green tourism is home to a host of animal species, which can be observed on walks or from the top of an observatory.
THE ORLÉANS FOREST: THE LARGEST NATIONAL FOREST IN FRANCE
The Orléans national forest covers 50,000 hectares. Many trees thrive here, both deciduous and coniferous.
Although the pedunculate oak occupies most of the forest, you can also see Scots pines, Corsican laricio pines and giant sequoias. It’s not uncommon to come across trees that are a hundred or even three hundred years old, like the one at the Carrefour des Domaines, which could one day reach 2,000 years old.
On foot or by bike, explore the many paths that criss-cross the area. If you keep quiet, you’re likely to catch a glimpse of the forest’s inhabitants: deer, hinds and roe deer come here in herds. To experience the stag in all its glory, come in early autumn, during the bellowing (and mating!) season.
FROM FOREST TO WETLANDS
The many lakes and ponds are also home to a multitude of animal species. Here you can watch salamanders and newts and listen to grass frogs and toads croaking.
Around the wetland areas, you will spot some unique plants, such as Drosera, an insectivorous plant, or common cottongrass.
Raise your eyes to the sky and, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the three large and rare species of bird of prey found here: the booted eagle, the short-toed snake eagle and the osprey.
GO WITH A GUIDE!
The French National Forestry Office and the association Loiret Nature Environnement offer a number of guided tours in the Orléans forest, to see osprey, stag bellowing, ornithology, mycology, and much more.
