About 30 kilometers east of Paris, the Ferrières Forest is one of the region’s great green lungs. This forest covers nearly 3,200 hectares and extends over several municipalities in Seine-et-Marne, including Ferrières-en-Brie, Pontcarré, and Bussy-Saint-Georges.
A perfect forest for a spring outing
The forest is part of the large belt of woodland surrounding eastern Paris. Together with the nearby Armainvilliers Forest, it forms the largest forest area in this part of the Île-de-France region. The landscape is fairly typical of the Brie plateau. The terrain is gentle, there are countless paths, and the undergrowth alternates between oak, ash, and other local species.
The forest also has several wetlands and ponds that attract a rich variety of wildlife. You may encounter birds, small mammals, and various species of insects that thrive in this preserved environment. The site is particularly pleasant for walkers, as it is crisscrossed by numerous forest paths. Some of these paths date back several centuries and form a very distinctive pattern in the forest.
The Ferrières forest is now very popular with nature lovers. The paths are ideal for long walks, but also for cycling or even horse riding on certain trails. Several hiking trails crisscross the forest, including fairly accessible loops that can be completed in two to three hours. Most of the trails are entirely shaded, making them a particularly pleasant destination on hot days. Certain areas are also popular with foragers in the fall, especially for mushrooms.
For a long time, the forest belonged to various religious communities before passing into the hands of the Rothschild family in the 19th century. In 1973, the Île-de-France region finally bought the forest to preserve it and open it to the public. Since then, it has been managed by the region’s green spaces agency and is one of the large natural areas accessible to residents of the Paris region.
Today, the Ferrières forest remains one of the most pleasant places to enjoy a break in the countryside near the capital. Its shaded paths, peaceful landscapes, and miles of trails make it an ideal place for an impromptu hike, a bike ride, or simply a walk away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Less than an hour from Paris, it is one of those nature getaways that allow you to completely change your surroundings without traveling very far.
📍Ferrières Forest – Seine-et-Marne
