To get some fresh air without crossing the entire Île-de-France region, there’s no need to head all the way to Fontainebleau or Rambouillet. Less than 30 km from Paris, the Saint-Eutrope Regional Forest stretches across 234 hectares between Bondoufle, Fleury-Mérogis, and Ris-Orangis. Its most striking feature lies in the middle of the forest: a vast clearing where no buildings block the horizon.
The Saint-Eutrope Forest, a large wooded area south of Paris
The park’s location is quite unexpected. The Francilienne runs to the south, the Fleury-Mérogis correctional facility lies to the north, and several residential neighborhoods surround the site. Once under the trees, however, the city becomes much less noticeable. Saint-Eutrope is even the only significant forested area located between the RN20 and the left bank of the Seine.
The forest is relatively young, with wide paths suitable for both walking and biking. Several ponds dot the trail and attract a wide variety of birds. The landscape changes frequently: some parts are densely wooded, while others are more open, featuring forest edges and meadows.
For cyclists, a trail about six kilometers long makes it easy to ride around the park with the family. The route also connects to the Seine Riverbank Greenway, opening up the possibility of extending the ride for those who bring their own bikes.
The Escadieu Plain, a 36-hectare clearing hidden in the forest
At the heart of the estate, the Escadieu Plain covers 36 hectares—the equivalent of about fifty soccer fields. Entirely surrounded by woods, it offers an unbroken horizon with no view of the urban landscape. The area is particularly well-suited for long walks, bike rides, or a break away from Paris’s often-crowded parks.
There are two main entrances to the forest: one from the Ris-Orangis side and the other from Fleury-Mérogis. The site remains relatively unknown outside the local area, even though it offers excellent hiking trails, a large wooded area, and one of the greenest landscapes you can find so close to Paris.
📍Location: Saint-Eutrope Forest – Chem. des Grands Bois, 91700 Fleury-Mérogis