Foret de Retz
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The Forêt de Retz ( Forest of Retz ), also Forêt de Villers-Cotterêts, is a large wooded area ( domain forest , Forêt domaniale ) around the French town of Villers-Cotterêts in the Aisne department . The forest is located around 80 km northeast of Paris, mostly in the Soissons arrondissement . The area is 13,339 hectares (around 133 km²), of which 742 hectares are in the Oise department . The circumference is 360 km, the length of the forest roads 60 km. The forest has some outstanding trees, such as the beeches (hêtre) Saut-du-Cerf (deer jump), Pré-Gueux, aux Amours and the oaks (chêne) of the Crapaudières and the King of Rome. The fauna includes roe deer, deer, wild boar, foxes and pheasants. The forest is a Natura 2000 area.
history
The history of the forest goes back to the Silvanekter forest in Gallo-Roman times, which was subsequently made smaller by clearing. In the 12th century, the Forêt de Retz, belonging to the Counts of Valois, developed as a distinct unit. In 1214 he came to the French King Philip II (Philippe Auguste) and under the administration of the governor of the castles of Villers-Cotterêts and Vivières. In 1346 King Philip VI. a set of rules on the use of forests. In 1499 the forest was part of the equipment of the later King Francis I. In 1564 Caterina de 'Medici ordered the canalization of the Ourcq to facilitate the transport of the wood from the forest to Paris. Between 1642 and 1645 there was major clearing. In 1648 the forest was left to the House of Orléans, with whom it remained until 1830 (with an interruption from 1791 to 1814 as a state domain). In 1669, under Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the forest use was first regulated in France. In 1672 the Fôret de Retz was described as "the noblest and best-planted forest in the kingdom". The forest, which is planted with oaks and beeches, has been rotating for 150 years. In 1830 it became a crown domain, after the fall of the monarchy in 1848 it became a state domain again. The maintenance of the forest was reorganized in 1864. The First World War caused severe damage, especially in 1918 during the fighting in the north of the forest during the Battle of Soissons (July 18-22). The Second World War led to overuse. In the post-war period, the rotation was shortened to 135 years.
Buildings in and around the forest
- The Saint Hubert hermitage.
- The granite column Monument Mangin, reminiscent of an observation tower from the First World War.
- The Monastery Longpont .
literature
- Guide Vert Michelin: Picardie, Baie de Somme , 2017, p. 276 f., ISBN 978-2-06-721570-2 (ín French)
Web links
- ONF website (French), accessed October 22, 2018
Coordinates: 49 ° 15 ′ 33 " N , 3 ° 5 ′ 33" E