Morning mist brought a tang of autumn but by midday the sky was clear blue, the air was warm and the sun was casting deep shadows in the forest.
The boulders (a characteristic feature of the Forêt de Fontainebleau) seem to gather among the trees, like resting herds of large, peaceful animals.
In reality, of course, it’s the trees that have found shelter among the boulders, taking root in rocky hollows and crevices filled with leaf mould.
Among the boulders the seeds of pine, beech and chestnut trees are protected from rooting wild boar but even so, only a tiny proportion of the seedlings have a long future ahead of them.
(Click on any image for a closer view)
October 15, 2017 at 10:09 pm
I never imagined this forest was so wild. Wild boar! I had an idea it was a much more genteel playground.
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October 16, 2017 at 8:15 am
In some ways it’s both. The forest is enormous – around 20,000 ha – but it is easily accessible from Paris, so it has lots of way-marked trails. It’s ancient woodland but has been managed for centuries so the numbered forest blocks are divided by tracks laid out in typically French patte d’oie fashion. A half hour train takes you straight from central Paris to a station in the middle of the forest.
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October 18, 2017 at 6:21 pm
It’s been added to then list ….
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October 18, 2017 at 10:41 pm
The forest wouldn’t be so surprising if it wasn’t so close to Paris but it’s worth a visit in any case.
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October 16, 2017 at 8:42 am
Oh I hope to visit next time! I’d forgotten it was so lovely there…and so easy to reach …x
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October 16, 2017 at 9:16 am
Just half an hour on the train takes you to the edge of the forest at Bois du Rois. Ten minutes more and you can get off at Thomery and walk straight out into the trees. We’ve not yet tried getting off at the mysterious forest halt that doesn’t appear in any of the timetables!
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December 9, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Beautiful pictures! And how beautifully described!!
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December 9, 2017 at 10:42 pm
Thank you for your kind comments.
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December 10, 2017 at 4:43 am
Your welcome 😄
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