PARC NATIONAL DE FORÊTS

Located between Côte-d'Or and Haute-Marne, the Parc National de Forêts is the most recent of France's eleven national parks, and the only one dedicated to the protection of lowland hardwood forests. In total, the National Forest Park covers an area of 2,180 km², 20 times the size of Paris itself, and comprises 113,000 hectares of forest, including 3,086 hectares of Réserve Intégrale. It has 4 missions:

Knowledge: as a site for studying and observing biodiversity, the National Forest Park welcomes scientific experts and creates partnerships with various players involved in environmental protection.

Protect the heritage of the Parc national de forêts, whether in terms of fauna, flora, built heritage or intangible heritage.

Welcoming the general public to the National Forest Park and raising their awareness of the Park's diverse resources. Increasing the number of Educational Land Areas (ATE), so that schoolchildren in member communities can take ownership of their own territory. Launch of a magazine to disseminate park news, set-up of themed exhibitions, launch of the Atlas of Biodiversity and publication of tourist guides.

Supporting the 110 municipalities that have signed up to the Charter, as well as local businesses and players, in their ecological transition and the development of a sustainable economy.

Free outings and events

Enhancing the value of the region and raising awareness of environmental protection are two of the National Park's most important missions, and throughout the year its teams organize outings and events for the general public. On the program: forest walks to discover local flora and fauna, guided hikes and other activities to discover (including tree climbing!). These activities focus on a variety of themes, such as recognizing the tracks left by large mammals, discovering nocturnal birds of prey, or watching a deer bellow. The activities are all opportunities to understand what this environment brings to man and the role he must play to preserve it. Learn how to make basketwork from A to Z without damaging the natural environment, accompanied by a passionate craftsman, or how to recognize the different species of local trees to better understand their development. In June, the annual Nuits des Forêts festival invites you to discover nocturnal animals and what happens in this environment when the sun goes down. After taking part in one of the National Forest Park's activities, you'll understand the fragile balance between man and nature.

Major cultural sites

The 110 communes that make up the Parc National de Forêts are brimming with major heritage and cultural sites. Inhabited since Neolithic times, the Parc National de Forêts is home to archaeological sites dating from ancient times to the present day. For ancient times, the Musée du Pays Châtillonnais - Trésor de Vix, the Faverolles mausoleum and Mont Lassois are worth a visit. For the Middle Ages, the Val des Choues and Auberive abbeys are architectural and artistic gems. Châtillon-sur-Seine, which has been awarded the Ville Impériale label, boasts a heritage dating back to the First and Second Empires.

The National Forest Park is a major player in the preservation and enhancement of this centuries-old heritage.

Esprit parc national-forêts brand and labels

The National Forest Park is an area where nature, know-how, techniques and local products are preserved. So it's only logical that many of our products, sites and services should benefit from labels that put them in the spotlight. The Esprit parc national-forêts label, awarded exclusively to producers, craftsmen and tourism operators whose activities are based in a commune belonging to the Parc national-forêts, has been awarded to over forty beneficiaries for around a hundred products. In addition to this mark, 25 establishments received the Vignobles et Découverte label in 2016. Last but not least, Crémant du Châtillonnais, craft beers, Burgundy truffles and Langres cheese are just some of the products firmly rooted in the region that you can sample during your visit.

Sports and leisure activities

National Parks are synonymous with nature sports, and the Forêt National Park is no exception. In all, the National Park boasts some fifty signposted hiking, cycling and horse-riding trails. The circuits, which can be completed in just a few hours or over the course of a day, are accessible to all levels of ability and automatically return you to your starting point.

Les boucles du Cœur du Parc: 280 km of trails designed to enable visitors to discover the Parc National de Forêts territory via soft mobility. 9 stages of 25 to 35 km, equipped with rest stops and shelters, crossing 39 communes, enable you to meet the territory's inhabitants, flora and fauna.

Chemin de la Belle Étoile - Tour du Parc national de forêts: Completed in 2025, this is a GR de Pays (local hiking trail) around 230 km long, whose route lies exclusively within the Parc national de forêts. Its signposted paths are partly based on those of three famous GRs: GR 7, GR 145 and GR 2. This hike allows you to explore the diversity of the National Park's treasures, from Auberive to Châteauvillain.