Regional Natural Park
The forest massif of the Montagne de Reims covers nearly 40 % of the Park territory. It is composed of private, communal and state forests. Beeches, oaks, alders, or ashes compose this massif sheltering rare, even unique flora and fauna. Full of legends and mysteries, the forest makes the delight of nature lovers. Let this exceptional green oasis and the diversity of its massifs labelled Forêt d'exception®.
The forest of Verzy
The forest of Verzy spreads on 1.032ha at the east of the Park. With its rich biodiversity, it shelters many ponds and wet areas inhabited by a large population of amphibians (salamander, crested newt...), together with caves and underground cavities appreciated by bats.
Mainly composed with oaks, the forest of Verzy is famous for its twisted beeches commonly called "Faux". With more than 800 Faux, the state forest of Verzy is the most remarkable site in the world for twisted beeches. Follow the walking path at the Faux de Verzy and these peculiar beeches will have no more secret for you...
The Forêt du Chêne à la Vierge
Located within the Park on a plateau looking over the slopes of Champagne, the state forest du Chêne à la Vierge spreads over 2.046ha. It shelters unique plant species, in particular its remarkable trees identified in 2015. Impressive by their dimensions, revealing a past history or calling for imagination, such trees are real ambassadors of their forest.
Discover them by walking, by biking or with a mountain bike. Two mountain bike paths are marked out in the western part of the forest, a 10 km-green loop and a 21 km-blue loop (map to be downloaded here).
The forest of Hautvillers
At the South of the Park, the state forest of Hautvillers spreads over 408ha. Mainly composed of sessile Oak (63%) and Beech (21%), it borders the wine-growing slopes of the village of Hautvillers, the historical cradle of champagne. It used to belong to Hautvillers abbey, well-known for welcoming Dom Pérignon, the famous Benedictine monk who developed the champagne wine-making process.
As the entire forest massif, the forest of Hautvillers makes up, beside the vineyard, the identity of the Champagne terroir. Indeed, the forest sets the backdrop of the Champagne vineyard landscape, which shows the special interest for this forest and justifies its highlight for its enrolment to Unesco‘s "Slopes, Houses and Cellars of Champagne".
