Réserve naturelle régionale du Ried de Sélestat, l'Ill*Wald, Regional nature reserve in Sélestat, France

The Ill*Wald is a regional nature reserve of 1,855 hectares on the plain between the Vosges and the Rhine, centred on the Illwald alluvial forest, one of the largest in France. The Ill crosses it in a dense network of more than 130 km of rivers and ditches, with oak, ash and alder woods, reedbeds and meadows.

The reserve received its official designation as a regional protected area in February 2013 following a request from the city of Sélestat. This status was granted for an initial period of 25 years with the possibility of renewal.

Illwald means "forest of the Ill" in Alsatian, while ried comes from the Old Alemannic rieth, meaning reeds. The asterisk in Ill*Wald stands for the interactions between water, marsh, meadows and forest, and for the strong human imprint on the site.

The reserve is open for visits, though sections may temporarily close during strong winds for visitor safety. Guided tours run throughout the year and offer the best way to explore the different habitat zones.

The Ill*Wald is home to a large herd of wild fallow deer, introduced in the 19th century. The Ill's many branches, fed largely by the groundwater table, also shelter beavers and numerous birds. The asterisk in Ill*Wald marks the interplay of water, marsh, meadow and forest, and the strong human footprint on the site.