Etang Du Roi

Étang du Roi is a small forest pond in the commune of Poigny-la-Forêt, in the Yvelines department of the Île-de-France region, on the western edge of the Forest of Rambouillet. Set within one of the largest forested areas near Paris, it has long served as a natural starting point for hikers and cyclists exploring the surrounding trails.

Where exactly is the pond located?

Étang du Roi sits along the road leading to it from Poigny-la-Forêt, with a parking area right next to the pond that acts as a launching point for excursions deeper into the Forest of Rambouillet. It's a popular trailhead, with paths radiating out toward landmarks such as the Rochers d'Angennes (Angennes Rocks), the Pocqueterie oak, and the Pierre Ardoue boulder.

What hiking trail passes nearby?

A stretch of the GR1 long-distance trail runs through the area, connecting the Carrefour Baron junction to Étang du Roi mostly through the Forest of Rambouillet. This makes the pond well connected on foot to the wider forest network and a convenient reference point for anyone planning longer walking or cycling routes in the region.

Can visitors access the water directly?

No. The surroundings of Étang du Roi have been classified as an area of outstanding biodiversity value, and access to the pond bed and its immediate surroundings is prohibited. The restriction is meant to protect the local flora and fauna tied to the wetland habitat, which in forests like Rambouillet can be particularly sensitive to visitor pressure.

What has happened to the pond in recent years?

Following floods in May and June 2016, the pond was drained, and reeds subsequently colonized its bed, noticeably changing the character of the water body. Restoration work aimed at clearing the overgrown reeds was scheduled to begin in January 2024. The site remains under the management of the Office National des Forêts (ONF), the French national forestry office responsible for maintaining and protecting this part of the Forest of Rambouillet.

What role does Étang du Roi play in the area?

The pond is an integral part of the forest landscape of Poigny-la-Forêt and one of the recognizable waypoints on the tourist map of the Forest of Rambouillet. While the water itself is off-limits for close access or swimming, its surroundings — the parking area, the trails, and the dense forest vegetation — draw visitors looking for quiet walking routes away from urban noise. Its proximity to other forest landmarks, such as the Rochers d'Angennes, also makes it easy to combine a visit here with a longer outing through the area.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Étang du Roi? No — access to the pond bed and its immediate surroundings is prohibited due to the area's protected biodiversity status.

How do you get to Étang du Roi? A road from Poigny-la-Forêt leads to the pond, where a parking area serves as the starting point for trails into the Forest of Rambouillet.

Which trail passes nearby? A section of the GR1 trail, linking the Carrefour Baron junction to the pond, running mostly through the Forest of Rambouillet.

Who manages the site? The area is overseen by the Office National des Forêts (ONF), the French national body responsible for managing state-owned forests.