The Carnelle Forest is best known for its trails, its prehistoric dolmen, and its wide tree-lined avenues. Yet, as you venture a little deeper into the forest, you come across a much more unexpected scene. Amid the trees, several ponds with bluish reflections appear, almost giving the impression that you’ve changed regions. Less than an hour from Paris, it’s one of the most peaceful spots in the Val-d’Oise for a nature walk.
A forest of a thousand treasures just a stone’s throw from Paris
Located between Presles, Saint-Martin-du-Tertre, and Asnières-sur-Oise, the Carnelle Forest is home to two well-known bodies of water: Lac Bleu and Petit Étang. Both are situated in former marl and gypsum quarries that were in operation during the 19th and 20th centuries. This origin explains their depth as well as their rather distinctive color, which gave them their names. Today, the sites are managed by the Val-d’Oise Fishing Federation and remain accessible year-round.
But the most surprising feature lies elsewhere: when viewing the area from above or on a map, you’ll discover another small body of water whose contours form almost a perfect… heart. Hidden amidst the vegetation, this lake has become one of the forest’s little-known hidden gems.
Around the ponds, the atmosphere changes completely with the seasons. In spring and summer, the reflections on the water contrast with the beech and chestnut trees of the forest. In autumn, the colors make the area particularly photogenic. The Carnelle Forest covers nearly 1, 000 hectares and is one of the major woodlands of the Val-d’Oise, along with Montmorency and L’Isle-Adam.
Another advantage of the area is that it remains relatively quiet despite its proximity to Paris. Many come to walk for a few hours before heading to the Pierre Turquaise, the largest dolmen in Île-de-France, also located in the forest.
About 40 minutes from Paris by car or via the H line, the Carnelle ponds offer a getaway quite different from the usual Parisian getaways. A mix of forest, water, and hidden nooks that makes you want to come back again and again.
📍Carnelle Forest
