Chêne Fauteuil de la forêt de Senonches

Senonches

In the heart of the state forest of Senonches, the largest in Eure-et-Loir at 4,287 hectares, old oaks have grown fused at the foot, and their open trunks form a seat: it has been named the Chêne Fauteuil, the Armchair Oak. The rusty sign of the Office national des forêts in front of it describes it as a "group of sessile oaks" and gives its 1980 measurements: 285 years of age, 5.50 m in girth. This forest, originally a beech and holly wood that the ONF now manages as oak forest, is probably a remnant of the great forest of the Carnutes, the Gaulish people in whose land Caesar places the yearly assembly of the druids, "in a consecrated place". A waymarked path leads walkers to it, and the same forest holds another signposted group of trees, the "Trois Frères" (Three Brothers).

Getting there : State forest of Senonches, between the Rond de Monsieur and the Rond de Condé: a post beside the forest road marks the path that leads to the tree

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound