Saint-Jean-aux-Bois, Medieval village in Compiègne Forest, France
Saint-Jean-aux-Bois is a small commune in the Compiègne Forest in northern France's Oise region, home to around 340 residents spread across scattered settlements. The village occupies a forested area spanning roughly 25 square kilometers.
The village grew around the Abbey of Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Jean-Baptiste, founded in 1152 as a Benedictine monastery that anchored the settlement. This religious foundation shaped the community for centuries to come.
Residents are called Solitaires, a name linked to 1794 when the village was temporarily renamed La Solitude during the French Revolution. This designation reflects the isolated woodland setting that shaped daily life for generations.
The commune is connected to neighboring areas by regular bus routes through the TIC 101 line and the AlloTIC service system. Expect scattered settlements spread across the woodland, so plan accordingly if you want to explore different parts of the area.
The village is home to an ancient oak tree with a trunk measuring eight meters around, its roots stretching back to the age of Saint Louis in the 13th century. This remarkable tree stands as a quiet witness to the place's long past and often goes unnoticed by visitors.
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