Paimpont Forest is also known as Brocéliande Forest. This Arthurian tale Mecca is a renowned spot teeming with treasures such as Viviane's House and Merlin's Tomb. The woodland of Brocéliande, mentioned in Chrétien de Troyes' writings, is the setting for the exploits of the Knights of the Round Table. Paimpont Forest, also known as Brocéliande Forest, is a temperate forest in Brittany, France, located near the hamlet of Paimpont in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine.

It is part of a broader forest region that encompasses the adjacent departments of Morbihan and Côtes-d'Armor and spans an area of 9,000 hectares. It includes the castles Château de Comper and Château de Trécesson, as well as the national historical monument the Forges of Paimpont. It has been linked to the Brocéliande woodland and various sites from Arthurian mythology, including Val sans Retour, Merlin's tomb, and the Fountain of Barenton.

Location: 35380 Paiimpot, France

The Luberon Regional Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with outstanding landscape diversity. Mourre Negre is the park's highest mountain, and it may be reached by many hiking paths that wind through the forest. The Luberon massif is well-known for its high peaks, interesting hiking and climbing options, and the Aigue Brun river, which cuts the mountain in half.

Forest covers over half of the Luberon reserve, and each forest has its unique ecosystem. Evergreen oaks, pines, and garrigue grow at lower elevations that were previously home to innumerable agricultural plots, while conifer trees dominate at higher elevations. There are even Algerian cedars in this area, which were planted in the 19th century on the Petit Luberon mountain.

Location: Auribeau, France

Fontainebleau Forest is a deciduous forest located less than an hour from Paris. This is one of France's biggest woods, with an area of 250 square kilometers. It is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and it is preserved as one of the most significant natural environments in the country by a variety of environmental and legal measures.

It's worth mentioning that this gorgeous woodland is home to over 7,000 different animal species, 5,000 of which are insects. It's also a terrific spot for birdwatching and trekking, and it's the ideal natural region for anyone who wishes to learn about France's unique geology. Fontainebleau is famous for its bizarre rock formations that resemble elephants, crocodiles, and even tortoises.

Location: 77300 Fontainebleau, France

Landes forest is a protected area in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region with wetlands, pine forests, and stunning maritime shoreline. Because of the inland sea, which receded and left an infertile depression, this region was generally unpopulated throughout history. To protect this natural ecosystem, the people and the French government worked hard to drain and reforest the land.

In other terms, the Landes forest is the biggest man-made forest in Western Europe. It has various river sources, as well as numerous small villages and towns. The sky-high trees completely dominate the skyline, while the dense forests are home to a plethora of bird species that may be seen at any time of year. The Landes forest offers the biggest potential for return trips, with thousands of kilometers of hiking routes, cycling pathways, and coastline trails. Given how beautiful this region is, it's hard to explore more than a small portion of it on your first visit.

Location: 33 Rte de Bayonne, 33830 Belin-Béliet, France

Cirque de Gavarnie is a mountain cirque in the Pyrenees. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France's most magnificent natural landscapes. Because of its vast size and distinctive design, which resembles an amphitheater, the gigantic cirque has even been referred to as the "Colosseum of nature."

This magnificent natural wonder is home to Europe's second-highest waterfall, enthralling pine woods, and some of France's most remarkable natural attractions. It's simple to understand why this is one of the greatest natural locations worth visiting in this interesting region, with its distinctive mountain passages and clefts between the cirque's extremely tall peaks.

Location: 65120 Gavarnie-Gèdre, France

Ecrins National Park is a southeastern French national park notable for its sky-high mountains, glacier basins, and larch forest trees. The primary purpose of this national park is to safeguard and preserve the unique flora and animals, as well as the architectural legacy. The Ecrins Forest has a variety of hiking paths ranging in complexity from relatively easy to highly demanding.

You may select between fast loop routes and difficult multi-day walks, and no matter which hikes you choose, you will be treated to stunning landscapes and amazing vistas. The French Alps, hypnotic waterfalls, and biodiversity are just a few of the features of this breathtakingly gorgeous national park.

Location: La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar, France

The Pyrenees Forest is located on the border between France and Spain. It's located along with the Pyrenees mountain range, and its major goal is to safeguard the area's many valleys and caves, as well as the various animal species that have made it their home. This forest is home to over 70 different animal species, including some endangered species. This forest also has around 124 plant species, 25 of which are indigenous to this mountain range.

The Pyrenees Forest is well-known for its high mountains, which provide great hiking and climbing opportunities. The highest mountain in France, Clot de la Hunt, is located in this forest and has an astounding elevation of 3,289 meters. Mont Blanc is definitely not included since its ownership has long been contested between Italy and France. It also has a Pyrenees conifer and mixed woods, which have a warmer temperature than the remainder of the forest, particularly those near the Pyrenees mountains. The mountains' upper altitudes are also wooded, primarily with silver fir, mountain pine trees, and European birch.

Location: Cauterets, France

The Forest of Compiègne is a vast woodland in the Picardy area of France, and it is possibly Europe's most historically significant forest. It is most known as the location where the Armistice between Germany and the Allies was signed in 1918, formally ending World War I. Aside from its historical significance, the magnificent forest is also noted for its breathtaking terrain and numerous walking routes, making the two-hour trek from Paris well worth it.

Compiègne's forest is generally round, with a diameter of about 14 kilometers (9 mi), a circumference of about 93 kilometers (58 mi), and an area of about 14,414 hectares (35,620 acres). Because of its proximity to the rivers Oise and Aisne, as well as several smaller tributaries and streams, the forest is lushly watered.

Location: 60350 Saint-Jean-aux-Bois, France