Faux De Verzy, Managed biological reserve in Verzy, France
Faux De Verzy is a protected forest with roughly 800 dwarf beeches whose branches and trunks grow in spiral patterns, creating dense networks of twisted green. The entire reserve spans a managed area and is crossed by walking paths that let visitors move through without damaging these unusual trees.
This place originates from the 6th century, when monks from Saint-Basle Abbey tended these trees and created an early botanical garden. That monastic care established the foundation for the forest's protection today.
Local legends connect these twisted beeches to the goddess Diana, who supposedly enchanted them to thwart hunters. Visitors sense this mythological layer woven into the forest, making it feel like more than just trees.
A walking path roughly 3 kilometers long guides visitors through the reserve to view the trees, with wooden fences and information boards protecting them. The trail is well marked, making it easy to explore while keeping direct contact with fragile ground and roots at a safe distance.
The trees remain stunted through a rare genetic trait, reaching only 4 to 5 meters tall and forming dense green domes. In winter their intricate twisted patterns become fully visible once leaves drop away.
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