Fontainebleau et du Gâtinais, Biosphere reserve in Île-de-France, France
The Fontainebleau and Gâtinais Biosphere Reserve is a large protected area featuring dense forests, open grasslands, and distinctive rock formations of sandstone. The region combines multiple habitat types ranging from woodlands to heathlands and wetlands.
UNESCO designated this protected area as a biosphere reserve in 1998, recognizing its value for nature protection and research. The designation connected conservation efforts with local community involvement in managing the landscape.
Local communities practice traditional forestry and crafts rooted in the land for generations. People in the surrounding villages use the forests and meadows as part of their everyday rhythm and connection to nature.
The reserve features marked trails accessible year-round that lead through different landscape types. Information centers throughout the area provide guidance and educational resources for exploring the protected region.
The reserve shelters an extraordinary range of plant and animal species, with many naturally occurring here in varying quantities. This biological diversity makes it a place where visitors encounter rare and varied life forms in their natural settings.
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