Forest of Fontainebleau facts for kids
The Forest of Fontainebleau (which in French is Forêt de Fontainebleau) is a large, beautiful forest located about 60 kilometers (around 37 miles) southeast of Paris, France. It's also sometimes called Forêt de Bière, which means "forest of heather". This forest is a mix of different kinds of trees, mostly those that lose their leaves in the fall.
Most of the forest is in an area called the arrondissement of Fontainebleau, which is in the southwestern part of the department of Seine-et-Marne. Some parts even stretch into other nearby areas, like the town of Milly-la-Forêt in the Essonne department. Several towns are actually inside the forest, including Fontainebleau and Avon. The forest covers a huge area of about 280 square kilometers (108 square miles).
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What Lives in the Forest of Fontainebleau?
The Forest of Fontainebleau is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. It's a really important place for nature!
Trees and Plants in the Forest
The most common trees you'll find here are oak trees, which make up about 44% of the forest. Next are Scots pine trees, at 40%, and European beech trees, at 10%. Besides these main trees, scientists have found an amazing three thousand different types of mushrooms growing in the forest!
Animals and Insects of Fontainebleau
The forest is also a busy home for many animals. There are about seven thousand different animal species living here. A big part of these are insects, with around five thousand different kinds buzzing, crawling, and flying around!
Images for kids
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Old topographic map of the Forest of Fontainebleau, 1895
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Lattice-like etchings from a cave near Boissy-aux-Cailles, Seine-et-Marne
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Fontainebleau and Avon in the 18th century, in Trudaine's Atlas (National Archives)
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The elephant rock, near the village of Larchant
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The mushroom rock, near the village of Noisy-sur-École
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The Forest of Fontainebleau: Morning, Théodore Rousseau, c. 1850
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See also
In Spanish: Bosque de Fontainebleau para niños
