"A forest must be open, let's not make our Orient Forest what we encounter in certain regions, notably in Sologne", implores Christian Denormandie, the mayor of Piney (Aube), about twenty kilometers to the is from Troyes. This is the whole meaning of the two trails which have just been inaugurated here, starting from the Maison du Parc naturel de la Forêt d'Orient, thanks to an investment of €535,000 partly financed by the government recovery plan. The King Oak Palace trail to start, an 800-meter loop specially adapted for people with hearing, mental, motor and visual disabilities. And above all the already famous short hiking trail of the Colossus with Feet of Clay, 7 km long.
Welcome to the heart of the Orient Forest Natural Park, born in 1970 after the construction of the Orient Lake, intended to protect Paris from flooding. It also includes the Amance and Temple lakes, dug 20 years later for the same reasons. Artificial therefore, these bodies of water have made it possible here to enrich exceptional biodiversity, a magnificent forest dotted with mushrooms, populated by renowned migratory birds and a very varied fauna in the wetlands, notably numerous amphibians and insects. . It is not uncommon to come across deer and other roe deer near the road.
There is no question here of hiding nature, we intend to show it to the widest possible audience while preserving the environment. Tourism and nature have learned to go very well together, between water activities, beaches, a reserve strictly prohibited to visitors but with numerous observation points nearby... and superb places for walks, sometimes by bike, often on foot , notably on the site acquired in 2013 by the Coastal Conservatory between the municipalities of Piney and Brévonnes.
After having taken a good look at the weather forecast, an essential reflex before setting off on an adventure, thought about a K-way and put on boots or at least very waterproof shoes, we set off for a 7 km walk which is worth its weight. 'gold. The setting is majestic: “It’s a very beautiful oak grove,” confirms Laurent George, shore delegate for the lakes at the Conservatoire du Littoral. We have almost the best quality oaks in the metropolitan area.” A natural resource from this corner of humid Champagne, whose notoriety goes far beyond the contours of the region.
“We delivered wood for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame-de-Paris from a national forest quite close to here,” explains Clotilde Bayle, director of the Aube Marne territorial agency of the National Forestry Office (ONF). It is the ultimate achievement of our forestry to see these woods nourish a heritage like this! ". Beyond tourism, “we remain with an objective of making the forest profitable, of assuming our role as owner in the production of local wood, but much less than if it were a private buyer,” underlines Laurent George, of the Conservatoire du littoral. The oak is not threatened by global warming, but it is the preservation of habitats that is important. »
This reasoned management is achieved thanks to co-management assumed by the Park and the National Forestry Office. “The ONF manages forests as a complete habitat, with a selection of organic trees of high environmental value. There are between six and eight per hectare and these trees are intended to remain standing ad vitam aeternam to host a whole range of interesting fauna and flora,” explains the Conservatory delegate.
As the title of the short hiking trail inaugurated this week explicitly reminds us, “our forest is a colossus with feet of clay,” recalls Jesus Cervantes, president of the Orient Forest Regional Natural Park. It's just magnificent what biodiversity and nature have brought us in this region, but it is also fragile. The fact of appropriating it and developing it intelligently means that we will be able to continue to observe it to protect it.”
If you are a bit of a sporty soul or if you in any case like to stroll for a long time in the forest and with your family, this “Colossus with Feet of Clay” is made for you. A change of scenery guaranteed in this imposing forest, whose shade will protect you from the hottest and sunny days of the year. The walk will also arouse curiosity and questions, starting with the mystery of this imposing half-open door that you can pass through at the start of the trail. “My interpretation is that we enter, but we are not at home”, smiles Laurent George who sums up the action of the Conservatory in three words: “preserve without confiscating”. “When we enter a house that is not ours, we pay a little attention to everything, we open our senses, which forces respect and silence. »
In total, three gates and five stations decorated with information panels and sculptures are distributed along the trail where works of art mingle discreetly with nature. Reversible and ultimately few elements, to give walkers time to think and walk peacefully. Since the health crisis and the awareness of climate issues, there have been an ever-increasing number of fans. “There is an increasingly important demand for nature,” notes Arnaud Anselin, director of heritage management at the Conservatoire du littoral. It is our role to meet this expectation while channeling attendance, avoiding an impact on the natural environment. »