Visit Saint-Jean-aux-Bois

Go for a small walk in the forest and track down this 750-year-old oak, planted by the monks under the reign of Louis IX… in the 12th century! Not only will its age make you feel small, but also its size: it’s a whopping 25 metres high and has a trunk that measures 2.5 metres in diameter. But what makes this beauty truly special is its history and the repeated abuse it has suffered at the hands of man, personified by the branch lying on the ground. Hunt around for mushrooms that grow at its feet while you admire its autumnal colours.

The Saint-Jean-aux-Bois abbey boasts some wonderful gothic architecture that’s as original as they get. Behind the simplicity of its form and its austere character lies a rare elegance that’s as thought-provoking as its history is rich. Listed as a Historic Monument, the abbey is home to a grand organ unlike any other in France. If you get the chance, don’t miss one of the concerts performed by this extraordinary instrument comprising 1,100 pipes, three keyboards, pedalboard and digital voices. An adventure into a sacred world for both the eyes and ears.

The Festival des Forêts is another unique sensory experience held during the summer, featuring musical events in the forest that marry classical music with nature. Saint-Jean-aux-Bois is often chosen by the organisers as the starting point for a ‘musical forest bathing walk’, whose virtues for the mind and body are extolled in Japan as shinrin yoku. A 3-hour walk led by a guide and a musician to help you reconnect with your inner self!

See the Forest of Compiègne like never before and treat your children to a unique and fun experience that will awaken all their senses and bring them closer to nature. It won’t take long for them to become absorbed in the game as they try to match the plant with the smell, match the animal with the footprint and ‘make the trees sing’ using a giant xylophone. If they’ve still got energy to spare, they can play on the swings and enjoy some other sporty activities!