The Forêt de Bercé,an exceptional forest

Forêt de Bercé

The green lung of the Loir Valley, the 5400-hectare Bercé state forest is managed by theOffice National des Forêts. It represents a veritable reservoir of natural wealth, with a variety of environments that encourage species diversity.

A major centre of forestry long before the great reform of the Eaux et Forêts initiated by Colbert in 1669, the Bercé State Forest is one of the finest oak forests in Europe, with some trees reaching exceptional heights, often exceeding 40 metres.

The history of the forest

A remarkable natural heritage

A remnant of the immense forest that covered the north of the Loire before Roman occupation, the Forêt de Bercé was classified as a Royal Forest in the 14th century. It is one of the finest oak reserves in France, with specimens over 300 years old and up to 50 m high that can be admired in the ” Futaie des Clos “. Bercé oak, once used for shipbuilding, is now sought after for cooperage and the manufacture of fine furniture.

The Forêt de Bercé is also home to maritime pines and softwoods such as Douglas fir and Laricio pine. This immersion in the heart of nature will take you on a journey back in time, from the Fontaine de la Coudre to the springs of the Hermitière (a romantic and mythical place in the 20th century where many couples formed during popular dances…) along regularly maintained paths.

©Forêt de Bercé (72)|Jean-Philippe Berlose

Life in the forest

From spring to autumn, the forest of Bercé rustles with life, day and night: from birdsong to the bellowing of the deer, from the murmur of the spring to the wind in the branches forty metres above the ground.

Three sites that are familiar and popular with visitors illustrate and update the age-old link between man and the forest: the Fontaine de la Coudre, the Futaie des Clos with its three-hundred-year-old oaks and the Vallon de L’Hermitière, once a meeting place and a place for socialising. The Queen Mother of England wrote in the guest book in 1984: “Exquisite lunch, delightful place”.

Activities in the forest

A cathedral of greenery, the forest is an ideal link between the historic heritage of Château-du-Loir and the gardens of the Château du Grand-Lucé. Between the two: the charming village of Jupilles and the Maison de l’Homme et de la Forêt: Carnuta, which transports you into a world steeped in history and legend. There are plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling and horse-riding. In particular, there are mountain bike trails to suit both amateurs and experienced sportsmen and women… because the valleys and peaks can sometimes create amusing differences in altitude, although they are always easy to negotiate.

Carnuta also organises events in the Bercé forest. Carnuta is the house of man and the forest, a fun, interactive place located in the village of Jupilles, in the heart of the Bercé forest. Here you can discover the world of the forest for young and old alike.

What to do nearby