FONTAINEBLEAU FOREST

The largest forest in France, the first protected natural space in the world - classified as an artistic reserve in 1863! - recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve: this biodiversity marvel covers 25 000 ha, the majority of which are administered in the forest. A huge area that attracts 13 million visitors per year coming to wander, discovering different and original landscapes, and of course a biotope to no other like, with these alignments of biscornus rocks separated by valleys of sand of incredible finesse. If in its centre you find the beautiful town of Fontainebleau and its castle of all splendour, it is impossible to return to Fontainebleau without taking advantage of this forest, as long as you access it from many towns and villages, such as Milly-la-Forêt, Barbizon, Fontainebleau, Bourron-Bourron, Orsay… Some things to do, places to see, to "Hyères", accompanied by good people.

Climb, of course! " Hyères " (for the free) is an initiation course for mountaineering, (since 1874, the French Alpine Club has spotted the massif as a training place), climbing, varappe, grimpette, according to the level and style shown. Since 1947 marked circuits (and carefully maintained) have been established to go from numbered sandstone rock into numbered sandstone rock and colorisé by level of difficulty: white (child), yellow (easy), orange (fairly difficult), blue (difficult), red (very difficult), black or white (extremely difficult). It comes at a minimum with climbing shoes (there are trucks of matos for pacts at the entrance to known sites, like Three pignons), its «pof» (magnesia bag to better adhere to the rock), a carpet (coarse cloth, carpet, or small paillasson) to wipe your feet before climbing a rock and a rock. Protect yourself from slips such as protecting fragile sandstone and sometimes too polite by climbers to be honest. The beautiful weekends, there's a lot of sites, and you can see lots of climbers with their crash crash, literally a mattress to avoid crashing when you fall down, which doesn't exclude you from putting up behind a climber to avoid falling and trauma.

Insider groups and a wealth of information so as not to climb stupid or dangerous on: http: //bleau.info; www.grimporama.com; http: //circuitdes25bosses.fr

Practice eco-tourism, of course! Since May 2011, the Tourist Development Agency of Seine-et-Marne has opened the first ecotourism centre in Ile-de-France on the Franchard site. Visitors are advised to prevent the most significant human impacts on the site. The centre organizes exhibitions, animations, days'well-being around original naturalist activities, mixing discovery of the biotope with workshops, photos, tales or yoga… (Between 35 € and 60 € for one day).

From March to mid-November on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11 am to 18 pm. From mid-November to March: activities and entertainment on reservation. (tel) 01 60 71 11 08. Outside the opening hours, Seine-et-Marne Tourism (tel) 01 60 39 60 39. E-mail: [email protected]

Remove the Phytolaque! Phytolaque, or American grape, is classified as plant blight by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), because when this plant multiplies by spreading its fruits by birds, nothing grows at its feet. Caring for children, these fruits are toxic! Grubbing-up campaigns are organised, with information, and precautions (not eating, wearing gloves).

If the arms and the heart tell you: http: //phytolaque.wifeo.com

Harvest mushrooms. Mycology is a great activity to educate oneself by walking (family) and tasting its own collection. But beware: the mushroom, this is learning with pros, like those of the département societies in the department that offer educational collection: www.mycodb.fr/societe.php? dep = IDF

Discover the fauna, flora and geology of the massif. 1 331 hectares of biological reserves classified as Natura 2000. An impressive number of species of birds, reptiles, insects, butterflies, amphibians and plants sometimes rare and protected… Fontainebleau is a source of continuous research and wonder for naturalists. Wake up or join the natural sciences, with:

- the association of the naturalists of the Loing Valley and the Fontainebleau Massif (ANVL), which organizes throughout the year naturalistes ornithological (birds), lichénologiques (lichens), botanical, entomologic (insects), archaeological, micological (fungi), geological… on the Fontainebleau massif. Information, membership and schedule on the HTTP site: //anvl.fr
- The Centre for Initiation at the Fontainebleau Forest of the NFB (National Forestry Office) which offers activities all year for school, students, adults (works councils): NFB Information and reservation - Centre for Forest Initiation (tel) 01 64 22 72 59. E-mail: [email protected]

- Club of Nature and Discoveries: www.natureetdecouvertes.com/nos-activites-en-ile-de-france

. On foot, on Nordic walking, on horseback, on bike, on rollers… Solo, duo, family, stroller, handi, etc. There are many ways of randonner in Fontainebleau, where several GR (hiking trails), over 1 600 km of forest roads, including 300 km of marked trails. The tourist office will give you some ideas for matching city visits and health courses in nature.

Lazing. After walks with the children or some climbing trails with the juniors over six years old, we go from good hearts to the cave of Robbers (by Barbizon), on the edge of ponds (at Piat, fées, évées…), enjoy and piqueniquer the fingers in the ultra-fine sand near Milly-la-Forêt or Barbizon, or romp and play the ball. instead of the Cabaret-Masson, near the Hippodrome hippodrome (between Melun and Fontainebleau) on the D 606. But at Fontainebleau everything is beautiful and good, provided that you document yourself before and take a map, like that of the IGN Top 25 Forest of Fontainebleau.