Paris-area forest reopens to visitors after July blaze, with parts still off-limits
The Fontainebleau forest, a popular nature reserve southeast of Paris, reopened to the public on Saturday after a wildfire in July burned about 2,000 hectares. Eighty percent of the area is now accessible, while a fifth remains closed for safety reasons. Visitors, including climbers from abroad, returned to the site, which is known for its boulders and outdoor activities.
The reopening follows weeks of closure after the July blaze consumed roughly a tenth of the former royal hunting ground, an area comparable to 2,000 hectares. A 4,000-hectare zone remains under watch, with half directly burned and the rest kept as a buffer. Fire crews continue daily patrols to suppress smoldering hotspots, and authorities warn that damaged trees pose a falling hazard.
The forest draws international climbers to its granite boulders, and early visitors included a retired Italian couple from Turin who traveled specifically for the reopening. Officials have banned campfires, barbecues, and smoking, citing tinder-dry vegetation from three successive heatwaves that have marked Europe's historically hot summer. A replanting effort has been pledged at the highest political level.
The reopening could provide a meaningful economic lift for local businesses that depend on the forest's steady stream of outdoor tourists, from climbing gear shops to cafes. It may also test public compliance with safety rules, as curiosity about fire-damaged zones could lead some visitors to ignore barriers. The incident underscores how climate-driven wildfires are increasingly encroaching on urban-adjacent recreation areas, potentially reshaping how European authorities manage public lands during extreme heat seasons.