While Fontainebleau and Rambouillet are well known, the Forest of Orléans remains a much vaster, wilder, and far less expected alternative. Covering nearly 35,000 hectares, it holds the title of France’s largest state-owned forest—a record that alone is enough to make it feel like an XXL adventure playground.
A vast green space offering endless possibilities
Its territory stretches for several dozen kilometers north of the Loire River, amid plains, clearings, ponds, and woods. Hikers will find a network of trails here that’s perfect for quickly escaping the noise. Some routes follow the ponds, while others wind through long forest paths where you can walk for hours without encountering many people. The Étang de la Vallée, near Combreux, is one of the most popular spots for combining a walk, a picnic, and a break by the water.
At the heart of the Orléans Forest, you’ll also find remarkable biodiversity. Deer, roe deer, wild boars, birds of prey, and amphibians all thrive in this beautiful space and its diverse landscapes. More than a thousand bodies of water dot the forest, a feature that’s quite rare for a forest of this size and invaluable to the local wildlife.
Long used for timber, hunting, and royal purposes, the forest still bears traces of its past through its roads and historic estates. Here, you walk through a landscape shaped as much by nature as by centuries of human management.
From Paris, it’s easy to plan a day trip or weekend getaway. Take the train to Orléans or Montargis, then continue by car or bike depending on the area. Those who want to extend their stay can also combine a visit to the forest with the villages of the Loiret, the banks of the Loire, or the Orléans Canal.
With its vastness, tranquility, and numerous hiking options, the Forest of Orléans is the perfect getaway for Parisians craving nature.
📍Location: Orléans Forest
