The magnificent 2,400-hectare state-owned Bellême forest, located in Le Perche Regional Nature Park north of the town of Bellême, is famous for its majestic oak and beech trees.
Lying in a green setting in the heart of the forest is Etang de la Herse lake, whose banks make an ideal spot for relaxing or having a picnic, and are the departure point for various walking trails.
As well as being a favourite destination for walkers, Bellême is also loved by mushroom enthusiasts, professional and amateur, as its undergrowth is home to a multitude of species. Every year from late September to early October, the Mycologiades Internationales de Bellême event organises picking trips in the forest for novices and experts, talks, workshops and a display of the mushrooms collected by the participants.
Walkers should make a point of going to admire the Chêne de l'École, an oak tree growing near the charming village of La Perrière. This fantastic 300-year-old oak stands at a height of over 40 metres!
The small town of Bellême at the forest's edge is worth the trip for its built heritage, which includes mansion houses, a 15th-century porch and a Classical-style church.
