Surrounding the small town of Villers-Cotterêts, the state-owned forest of Retz is one of the biggest forest massifs in France, covering 13,339 hectares. Abounding with wildlife, including red deer, roe deer, boars, hares and foxes, as well as nesting birds such as the pied flycatcher, this vast beech forest offers walking and riding fans nearly 560 kilometres of hiking paths!
Also take advantage of your escapade in Retz Forest to go to Villers-Cotterêts, birthplace of Alexandre Dumas. The Francis I castle, a superb example of Renaissance architecture, and the Dumas Museum devoted to the famous writer and his family, are well worth a visit.
