Located at the North-East of Paris, limited to north and the east by Oise and Aisne, to the North-East by the forest of Laigue and to south-west by the charming valley of the Autumn, the national forest of Compiegne occupies a surface of 14.400 hectares.
The old city and especially districts stop in skirt of forest. It is the natural prolongation of the park of the castle and the alley of the Beautiful-Mounts cuts out there broad and long alley.
It is a rich universe with several thousands of plant species and animal joined together at the same place.
At the 18th and 19th century, they planted 3000 hectares of oaks, then one introduced the woodland pine in order to timber poorer grounds.
You can meet there mainly the oak, the beech, the charm, the birch, the ash, the chestnut, maple… and of the various leafy trees (wild cherry tree, alder, poplar, elm, lime…).
A crowd of shrubs like the hazel tree, the elder tree, the viornes, the sloe… and a population of plants and mushrooms varied enough and opulent took seat there.
Many paths furrow the large grove, they allow a relatively easy access to the various mounts, some culminate with more than 130 meters (Saint Pierre in Chastres, Beautiful-Mounts, Mont Berny).
Low, in the plain, the ponds, the sources, the rus and the brooks, the moors, the ponds liberally offer water bienfaitrice and confluence towards many crossroads to the typical posts.
The royal creation, the forest was, since the 6th century, the favorite hunting ground of the French sovereigns.
Thus the history of Compiegne is recalled in this forest, constructions, prestigious or modest, intact or ruined, spread out there since Gallo-Roman times until our days, inside the solid mass or on its edges.
You can discover there forest houses, churches, the abbey ones, the castle of Compiegne and Gallo-Roman ruins.