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Covering 4322 hectares, Crécy Forest is the main
growing stock in the Somme and the only one of this size open
to the public.
History of the forest
The forest was once part of a very large growing stock, a record
of which can be found under the name "Cresiacum Forestis"
from the Roman era, and another from 1600, under the name "Forest
de Cressy". The Crécy Forest was a dependency of
the County of Ponthieu then it was given as a royal privilege
t the Count of Artois. During the French Revolution, with various
other religious properties, it passed into state ownership and
became the Crécy National Forest. Only Rondel Wood (360
ha) on the eastern perimeter of the forest has remained a private
wood.
Management of the forest today
It is managed by the National Forestry Commission
Although forest crops have been handled for a long time as
coppice with standards, forest management currently focuses
on conversion to regular planting of beech, through assisted
natural regeneration. A large autumn sale takes place every
year in October at Forest l’Abbaye, mobilising around
15 000 m3 of timber. Beech from the forest is much sought-after
for its quality.
François 1 used to hunt in the Crécy Forest,
and owned the Haute Loge hunting lodge there. Hunting is a
traditional forest activity that controls the fauna, and without
which the durable management of the forest would be jeopardised.
Nowadays, roe deer and wild boar are hunted 1 day a week between
mid-October and the end of February. These hunting areas are
clearly marked. The central plot is reserved for selective
shooting, managed by the National Forestry Commission, which
monitors the issue of individual licences.
Circular walks
Around sixty picnic tables and benches have been installed along
these routes, in addition to those on the 2 ha of grass in the
Clairière du Muguet (Lily-of-the-valley Glade).
Eight short circular walks (signposted in yellow), each
taking about 2 hrs, are available from the Observatoire National
des Forêts, Maison Forêstière de Beauvoir
- 96 place des Templiers - 80150 FOREST-L'ABBAYE - Tel/Fax:
+33 (0)3 22 28 31 62.
Forty seven kilometres of bridle paths (signposted in orange)
are open to horse-riding by special dispensation from article
331-3 of the Forestry Code. You can follow circuits beginning
at the main entrance points of the forest, or ride across
the forest following the departmental horse-riding map.
A permanent orienteering competition trail has been set up
in the area surrounding the Clairière du Muguet. Trail
maps and access permits are available from Forestry Centre
in Forest Montiers.
The Taillette information shelter, at the crossroads of the
route départementale 111 and the forest road between
Bernay and Domvast, helps you find your bearings, with its
plan of the forest and information.
Remarkable trees
Around 1905, thirty trees were classified as "Remarkable
trees". Twenty three of them are still standing, including
some which are true monuments, like the "Richard Beech".
You can find these trees, and other useful information on
the ten welcome boards placed all along the "Bridle Paths"
circuit and in the Crécy National Forest maps (copy
of the boards) on sale in local bookshops/newsagents and Tourist
Offices (Crécy, Abbeville).
Activities
Every year, the National Forestry Commission organises a number
of events :
• Spring cleaning on the third Saturday in March,
• Guided tours on the theme of "Introduction
to forestry techniques in Crécy Forest" during
the summer season,
• All year round by appointment
(except Sunday and public holidays), for groups (30 people
maximum), possibility of organising outings:
"Introduction to forestry techniques in Crécy
Forest" lasts half a day (2 to 3 hours)
"Introduction to the Forest and finding your
way with a compass" lasts a whole day
Practical info
Office
National des Forêts
Maison Forestière de Beauvoir
96, place des Templiers
80150 FOREST L'ABBAYE
Tel/Fax : +33 (0)3 22 28 31 62
Maison Forestière de Forest-Montiers
80120 FOREST-MONTIERS
Tel : +33 (0)3 22 28 31 72
Nature is friendly, let us respect
it!
Please read the following page : Proper
use of the forest
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