Fontainebleau et du Gâtinais

The Fontainebleau and Gâtinais Biosphere Reserve spans 150,544 hectares across Essonne and Seine-et-Marne departments, encompassing dense forests, grasslands, and natural rock formations.

The UNESCO designated this protected area on December 10, 1998, making it the tenth biosphere reserve in France under the Man and Biosphere program.

The reserve contains 130 municipalities where 298,000 residents maintain traditional practices while participating in environmental conservation through educational programs and workshops.

Visitors can access numerous marked trails throughout the year and participate in biodiversity workshops at the Franchard ecotourism center.

The reserve documents 5,000 plant species and 6,600 animal species across diverse habitats including heathlands, limestone prairies, forests, and peat bogs.

Location: Île-de-France

Inception: December 10, 1998

Website: https://biosphere-fontainebleau-gatinais.fr

GPS coordinates: 48.36667,2.55000

Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:54