Beech Forest of Massane, Nature reserve near Argelès-sur-Mer, France
The Beech Forest of Massane is a large woodland reserve in the Albera massif with trees over 300 years old and trunks exceeding one meter in diameter. The area stretches across about 336 hectares at altitudes between 600 and 1,158 meters with views overlooking the Mediterranean coast.
In the late 1800s, a forestry engineer established protection measures to stop charcoal production and transform how the forest was used. This action marked the start of organized forest conservation in the region.
The forest draws researchers and nature enthusiasts who come to study its rich ecosystems and understand the importance of forest preservation. Visitors can see how this place serves as a living laboratory where nature remains at the center of attention.
The forest is accessible through a network of walking paths that lead through various elevation zones and offer different difficulty levels. It is advisable to wear sturdy footwear and pay attention to conditions at higher elevations, as weather can change quickly.
The forest shelters an exceptionally diverse insect population, notably with more than a thousand beetle species found nowhere else in such protected habitat. This biodiversity makes it one of Europe's most thoroughly studied forest reserves.
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