International Forest Day 2025: free guided tours of the Fontainebleau forest

At a time when Parisians are increasingly looking to reconnect with nature, International Forest Day is making a comeback this Thursday, March 21. To mark the occasion, a number of events will be held across France. Fontainebleau Tourisme, for example, is inviting young and old to (re)discover the famous forest of Fontainebleau during exclusive, free tours on Saturday March 22 and Sunday March 23, 2025. A blend of history and biodiversity, these walks will enable visitors to rediscover an exceptional natural heritage.

Every year, the International Day of Forests raises public awareness of the importance of woodlands and their preservation. To mark the occasion, the town of Fontainebleau , in collaboration with the Amis de la Forêt de Fontainebleau and theAssociation des Naturalistes de la Vallée du Loing, organizes two free guided tours of the forest.

On Saturday, March 22 at 1:45pm, the first walk follows the blue trail no. 2, laid out in the 19th century by Claude-François Denecourt, a pioneer of nature tourism. This historic trail takes visitors through the rocks of Fontainebleau, past ancient fountains, to the Tour Denecourt, renamed in homage to its creator. This walking loop starts from the Auberge de la Croix d'Augas parking lot and lasts around 3 hours. Walking shoes are recommended. The tour is not recommended for children under 12.

On Sunday March 23 from 10am to 12pm, a second outing invites you to discover a fascinating heritage: mosses and lichens. The Forest of Fontainebleau is home to almost 400 species of each, representing a quarter of France's diversity. Accompanied by anANVL expert, visitors will learn how to observe these organisms and understand their role in the ecosystem. Departure is from the Franchard parking lot, on the Ermitage de Franchard side. This outing is open to visitors aged 10 and over.

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For those who want to extend the experience, other hiking and nature activities are available in the Forêt de Fontainebleau, which has been awarded the Forêt d'Exception label.

These initiatives are part of a sustainable tourism approach aimed at raising visitors' awareness of the need to preserve this exceptional natural area. The Pays de Fontainebleau Tourist Office, in close collaboration with the ONF and the Friends of the Forest, offers educational and fun activities throughout the year to help visitors discover and protect the forest.

To take part in these free guided tours, an online reservation is required, as places are limited. These activities are accessible to all those comfortable with walking, with the exception of people with reduced mobility and strollers, and pets must be kept on a leash.

The International Day of Forests, established by the UN in 2011 and celebrated on March 21, aims to promote the knowledge and preservation of forests around the world. In France, the event invites you to a week of discoveries and activities from March 15 to 23 to raise public awareness of the importance of forest ecosystems.