Pontkalleg National Forest

Located in the former forest of the Pontkalleg estate, Pontkalleg national forest covers 543 hectares. Bought by the French government in the 1970s and managed by the Office National des Forêts, it was composed mainly of pedunculate oak and beech. A hunting reserve for the nobility, its high forest and coppice woods were exploited by their owners, notably in the 19th century for charcoal production.

In 1973, the forest was divided into 52 parcels of 10 hectares each. The replanted plots, each made up of a single species alternating between conifers and American oaks, were cut back in recent years and replanted with new species. The slopes are dominated by beech forests, a protected Natura 2000 habitat. Along the way, you'll discover beech, oak, birch, holly, mountain ash, wild pear, yew, elder and hawthorn trees. This diverse woodland promotes the development of saplings, brambles and ferns, bluebells, daisies and moss on the floor. It is also a refuge and food store for mammals, birds, molluscs and insects.