Most beautiful woodland walks in France

This floral experience is often described as a ‘secret garden’ as it sits in the little village of Chériennes. With a friendly owner and plenty of places to stop and (literally) smell the roses, this is a great place to unwind.

Home to beech, oak, hazelnut, maple, and sycamore trees, this 9,000-hectare forest between the Bresle and Yères valleys is so large it’s split into three parts: Triage, Haute-forêt d'Eu (upper part), and Basse forêt d'Eu (lower part). Spend time exploring each to discover a bounty of flora and fauna.

Part jungle, part botanical garden, owner Charles Boulanger’s goal is: "…to recreate the spirit of the jungle..." which he has certainly achieved. With more than 7,000 plant species, you’d be forgiven for losing a whole day here. Look out for the rare bamboo plants and numerous butterflies.

This vast chestnut grove is not only impressive, but also only 20 km north of Paris. A former royal hunting forest, it stretches over hills dotted with historic sites, ponds, belvederes, and, of course, those remarkable trees.

One of the largest forests in France, take a walk in a landscape that hasn’t changed much since it was set apart from surrounding urban areas in 1672. With rock formations and 13,000 hectares of space to explore, you will find plenty of peace and quiet amongst these trees.

A great hiking spot, this is another old hunting ground for the kings of France. Many artists have found inspiration here, thanks to the wide variety of landscapes, from rocky bouldering sites, to calm walkways amongst trees and wildflowers.

A majestic 50,000 hectares of trees you can meander through on foot or bicycle. Herds of deer can be spotted, especially in autumn, plus if you’re lucky you might see booted eagles, short-toed eagles, and osprey flying overhead.

One of Brittany’s hidden gems this forest is a mythical place, steeped in Arthurian folklore and with a fountain that has possible magical healing properties. Numerous walking trails will take you deep amongst the trees, but will you be brave enough to take the Valley of No Return?