User:Soleil levant/Chantilly Forest

Chantilly Forest or Forest of Chantilly (Forêt de Chantilly) is a forest of 6,344 hectares (63.44 km2; 24.49 sq mi), located mainly in the Oise, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Paris.

The forest as is now known was added to over time by the lords of Chantilly from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, primarily for use as a hunting ground. It has been the property of the Institut de France since 1897, and is under the ownership of the domaine de Chantilly. It is protected under its status as site classé and by the national forestry commission. It is run by the National Forests Office (ONF). The main flora in the forest are oak trees (48%), Scots Pine trees (12%) and Common Beech trees (9%).

As both a historical and natural area, many of the forest's sites belong to Natura 2000, which offers protection to their natural habitats which are rare and under threat, and its bird population. Additionally, there are six historical monuments in the confines of the forest. There is still one hunting zone remaining and also a training centre for racehorses. It is the seventh most-visitted forest in the Parisian suburbs and is part of the massif des Trois Forêts (Three-Forets Massif) along with the Ermenonville and Halatte forests.

Geography edit