National Forest de Compiègne

About us

The national forest de Compiègne occupies an area of ​​14 hectares. It forms with the forests of Laigue and Retz, a set of 485 hectares. This beech-oak grove is the 32rd largest French state forest after that of Orléans and Fontainebleau.

A naturally accessible space :
The forest de Compiègne originates a few steps from the heart of the city, near the old quarters. It is the natural extension of the castle park and the Allée des Beaux-Monts. Crisscrossed by more than 1000 km of roads and paths, the forest de Compiègne offers a wide range of walks or hikes. The many trails that crisscross the large forest provide access to the various mountains (Saint-Pierre en Chastres, Beaux-Monts, Mont Berny), culminating at more than 130 meters.

A rich fauna and flora of several thousand species : To doors de Compiègne, it is a real green lung that stretches as far as the eye can see with trees such as: oaks (3000 hectares planted in the 18th and 19th centuries), Scots pines, beeches, hornbeams, birches, ashes, chestnuts, maples, cherry trees , alders, poplars, elms, lime trees... A host of shrubs such as hazelnuts, elderberries, viburnums, blackthorns complete this wonderful natural space.

In the plain, ponds, springs, streams and streams, moors, ponds are the habitat of a large number of species: deer, roe deer, deer, wild boar, raccoons, foxes, squirrels , black woodpeckers... Animal species that also rub shoulders with churches, abbeys or Gallo-Roman ruins.

A place dedicated to relaxation and sports practice : Activities such as walking, cross-country running, horse riding or angling in ponds find an ideal setting here. Hiking is also one of the most popular activities thanks to the numerous paths: Grande Randonnée (GR), GR de pays, various marked tourist circuits..

So that everyone can enjoy cycling or rollerblading, the Compiégnoise forest has 7 cycle paths 54 km long, crossing it from north to south and from east to west, including the pleasant cycle path de Compiègne to Pierrefonds (with return via Saint-Jean-aux-Bois).