In the heart of the forests a perfectly preserved fauna and flora
With nearly 970,000 ha of forests, Burgundy is the third most wooded region in France, just behind Corsica and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. A major biological asset, especially since these forests are home to one third of the ZNIEFF (Natural Areas of Ecological, Faunistic and Floristic Interest). This means that these areas are home to rare or characteristic animal or plant species of the region. Among these, let's mention for example the Bertranges forest which, in the Nièvre region, covers nearly 10,000 hectares, mainly planted with oak trees. Its straight alleys and numerous paths are ideal for hiking, and the deer attract many curious people, especially during the bellowing season. In the northwest of Burgundy, the Othe forest stretches between the valleys of the Seine and the Yonne, between the Burgundy and Champagne regions. A green forest made up essentially of hardwoods, which covers about half of the surface of the Pays d'Othe, the rest being made up of crops, orchards, springs and streams. There are amphibians such as the spotted salamander or the now rare alpine newt, the Helvetic newt, but also frogs and toads. The diversity of bird species is also important: more than 88 have been observed, many of which are endangered species such as the woodlark or the European nightjar, the hobo falcon or the pileated woodpecker... In the same way, many birds of prey fly over the forest in search of prey: the royal kite or the European falcon, notably. Further south, the forest of Pontigny, between Auxerrois and Chablisien, extends over 950 ha and presents a harmonious mixture of oaks and pines at the same time as it shelters a rich fauna (in particular rare saproxylic insects). Of course, these are only a few examples, but - whether they are named here or not - the forests of Burgundy have one thing in common: in addition to deer, squirrels, hedgehogs, wild boars, adders and snakes, they all provide shelter for rarer animals, such as the black stork in the woods of Châtillonnais, or the European cistude, a freshwater turtle that is the object of a special program. Not to mention the 400 species of birds listed: cuckoos, owls and short-eared owls, wood pigeons, terns or curlews..
Parks and nature reserves that sometimes surprise!
In addition to these forests, Burgundy is also home to a number of parks and nature reserves. Starting with the Parc national de forêts. The largest wooded area in Côte-d'Or covers almost 241,000 ha, and preserves the forest massifs of Châtillon-sur-Seine, Arc-en-Barrois and Auberive. Inaugurated in 2019, it has become France's eleventh registered national park, the first north of the Loire, and the first to be entirely dedicated to the forest. The ultimate privilege, it is also the largest in Europe to defend both an ecological and economic vocation, while at the same time devoting itself to leisure and discovery. The forest (which stretches from Burgundy to Champagne) includes 127 communes, 77 of which are in the Côte-d'Or region, as well as an integral reserve that will soon extend over 3,100 hectares left to evolve freely: the forest will become wild again, and a scientific research center will soon be created. In the meantime, deer, birds and small carnivores can still be observed. Mushroom-hunting enthusiasts will also find much to enjoy here, from the most common species to the most sought-after morels and chanterelles. The Morvan Regional Nature Park is one of 53 in France to have been awarded this label, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020. Here, nature reigns supreme, and the hilly landscape is covered with forests, interspersed with hedged farmland, rivers, lakes and picturesque villages. More than 36,000 people live in the member communes, and over 32,000 directly in the heart of the park (including many local producers). In total, 240,000 ha, including 105,000 ha of farmland, 129,000 ha of forest, 1,600 ha of water and 7,000 ha of wetlands make up the Morvan. a network of 3,600 signposted trails is accessible on foot, horseback or mountain bike. All this, surrounded by some 250 protected species of fauna and 60 protected species of flora. Not far away, the Val de Loire nature reserve was classified in 1995 and covers part of the Nièvre and Cher departments. It stretches over almost 1,500 ha and includes the communes of La Charité-sur-Loire, Mesves-sur-Loire, Pouilly-sur-Loire and Tracy-sur-Loire in the Nièvre department. 500 plant species have been listed, as have 190 bird species. Even the beaver has reappeared! As for the Loire (which runs for 20 kilometers along its banks), it is home to some 30 species of fish, including lamprey, shad and salmon. Still in the Nièvre, the Loire bourguignonne regional nature reserve (located between Saint-Hilaire-Fontaine and Decize) covers 740 hectares. It boasts 509 plant species, 14 natural habitats and a rich fauna of 373 species. The Truchère nature reserve is located in the heart of the Bresse region of Saône-et-Loire. Its astonishing ecosystem combines vegetation typical of the seaside, with dunes, moors and even peat bogs worthy of Nordic countries. In the center, the Fouget pond stretches over almost 16 hectares. Here too, sandy islets and marshes provide the ideal setting for a rare and diverse flora and fauna. At the foot of the limestone cliff on which the high village of Mailly-Le-Château (Yonne) is perched, a warm sea once stretched out. This is now the site of the surprising Bois du Parc nature reserve. In addition to coral fossils, the 45-hectare site features a dry grassland and sub-Mediterranean flora - one of the most northerly to persist in France - as you climb the staircase to the top of the cliff. The Marais du Cônois, in Côte-d'Or, covers 7 hectares and is one of the finest tufa marshes in the Châtillonnais region. Fed by springs whose water is highly charged with limestone, the marsh has an interesting geological feature: in contact with air and vegetation, the limestone gives rise to a more or less friable rock, tuff. What's more, the marsh's cold microclimate is home to a highly specific flora, including mountain plants such as gentian and perennial swertie. Finally, let's talk about the Boutissaint Nature Park. Located in south-western Yonne, in the heart of the Puisaye region, on the border between Yonne and Nièvre, it covers almost 400 hectares and has preserved the wild oak and coniferous forests characteristic of the area. Some of the animals on the estate, such as fallow deer, roe deer and red deer, roam freely, while others, such as wild boar and mouflons, are kept in enclosures and can be observed in a vast meadow near the château's pond.
Preservation and education at the heart of regional environmental policy
To ensure the preservation of certain species or to help them develop, various policies have been put in place which include the creation of many sites open to the public. Thus, on the cliffs of Baulme-la-Roche (Côte-d'Or), you can see peregrine falcons. In Mars-sur-Allier, in the lower valley of the Allier (Nièvre), about ten pairs of white storks can be observed each year, from March to August. It is enough to take the well named "sentier des cigognes" (which starts from the church of the village and extends on 3 kilometers) to see these migratory birds finding their nest after their Spanish or African journey. Nearby, Le Bec d'Allier, at the confluence of the Loire and the Allier, encompasses 57 hectares bought by the Nièvre department. These lands and banks are home to a whole range of fauna, both on land and in the air, starting with bank swallows and kingfishers. You will be able to discover them along the Passeur trail which follows the last kilometers before the confluence. Finally, let's go back to the Morvan, to the magnificent meadows of Montour, a site classified ZNIEFF since 1985. Here, we find rustic cows of Highland Cattle race, and rare plant species such as the mountain arnica, the marsh comaret or the ivy-leaved wahlenbergie. This richness is also reflected in the fauna, with rare dragonflies and butterflies. Two trails (2 and 4.5 kilometers) starting around Brassy (Nièvre) allow you to discover them.
The Saône-et-Loire, precursor of the Greenways
With its sumptuous and often atypical places, Burgundy with its vast natural expanses has countless hiking trails or simple walks. Here, so many greenways have been created that you can now even cycle around Burgundy! Did you know that? It is in Saône-et-Loire that the very first of its kind was created in France. Originally linking Givry to Cluny, it was extended to Chalon-sur-Saône. The route was traced along the old railroad tracks, in order to create perfectly safe bicycle paths. To the north, the route is accessible from Champforgeuil to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune via Fontaine and Rully. To the south, the access is from Les Charreaux (in Chalon) to reach Givry, and even the Mâconnais through the vineyards. The Saône-et-Loire region has multiplied its initiatives in this direction. Thus, a blue way also exists which follows the Saône river by the towpaths. A 106 km walk, from Mont-Les-Seurre to Mâcon, via Ouroux-sur-Saône and Tournus. Itineraries with absolutely superb landscapes.
