Mont De Fays

Mont de Fays is a small but noteworthy pocket of the Forest of Fontainebleau, protected as a "réserve biologique dirigée" (directed biological reserve). It lies in the Seine-et-Marne department, in the Île-de-France region, within the state-owned forêt domaniale de Fontainebleau — one of the best-known forest complexes near Paris, prized by climbers, hikers and nature lovers alike.

What is the Mont de Fays reserve?

The reserve covers only about 4 hectares, making it one of the smaller protected areas within the network of French biological reserves managed by the Office National des Forêts (ONF). Protected status was granted back in 1953, making it one of the oldest such designations in the Fontainebleau forest system — a sign that French state forestry recognized early on the value of preserving small, ecologically significant patches of woodland in a near-natural state.

Where does the name come from?

The name "Fays" (sometimes spelled "Fay") most likely refers to the beech tree — fagus in Latin. Several similarly named places can be found around the Forest of Fontainebleau that reference trees, such as "Bois du Fay" (Beech Wood) or "Chêne des Fées" (Fairy Oak). This suggests that the Mont de Fays area has long been associated with old, distinctive beech stands, which may explain why it was singled out for protection.

Where exactly is it located?

Mont de Fays sits at the heart of the Forest of Fontainebleau, near towns such as Dammarie-les-Lys, southwest of the town of Fontainebleau itself. Its approximate coordinates are 48.447° N, 2.658° E. The surrounding area forms part of the wider rocky and forested massif known to hikers and climbers as the "Massif de Fontainebleau," a region famous for its distinctive sandstone boulders used for bouldering.

Why is it worth knowing about?

Although the Mont de Fays reserve itself is small, its location within the Forest of Fontainebleau makes it a natural point of interest for anyone exploring the wider woodland. The Forest of Fontainebleau is a popular hiking and cycling destination for day-trippers from Paris, offering varied landscapes ranging from sandy dunes and heathland to dense oak groves and beech thickets. Small protected pockets like Mont de Fays help preserve enclaves within this heavily visited forest where natural ecological processes — tree aging, deadwood decomposition, spontaneous regeneration — can continue largely undisturbed by human management.

How to get to Mont de Fays

The area can be reached via the network of hiking and cycling trails that cross the Forest of Fontainebleau, with the nearby town of Dammarie-les-Lys serving as the closest reference point. Visitors planning longer hikes through the Fontainebleau massif can work the vicinity of Mont de Fays into a route that also takes in other notable landmarks of the region, such as rock formations and scenic viewpoints.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Mont de Fays reserve? Directed biological reserves in France generally remain accessible on foot along marked trails, but their primary purpose is nature conservation rather than tourism infrastructure — visitors should stick to marked paths and respect any posted restrictions.

How large is the reserve? It covers roughly 4 hectares, making it a small yet meaningful piece of the mosaic of protected areas within the Forest of Fontainebleau.

Since when has the area been protected? The site has held protected status since 1953.

Is Mont de Fays close to Paris? Yes — the Forest of Fontainebleau, where the reserve is located, is easily reached from Paris and is a popular destination for day trips.