The park is colloquially known as the 'Parc aux trois fleurs' due to its abundance of wild flora.
The sandstone formations found here were deposited during the Oligocene epoch, roughly 30 million years ago.
Milly-la-Forêt, where the administrative center is located, is famous for its historical medicinal plant cultivation.
The park serves as a refuge for the protected European nightjar, a ground-nesting bird.
Many of the park’s sandstone boulders are natural climbing sites used as training grounds for alpinists.
The territory encompasses both agricultural plains and dense silicious forests, creating a high biodiversity index.
It is one of the few French regional parks that actively manages a 'conservatoire' for local apple and pear varieties.
The Parc naturel régional du Gâtinais français is a protected landscape spanning 63,900 hectares characterized by its iconic sandstone blocks and expansive forest cover. Located between the Essonne and Seine rivers, the park serves as a hub for outdoor recreation including hiking, cycling, and rock climbing. The area is geologically distinct for its Fontainebleau sand and sandstone formations that shape the local relief. It is officially designated as a regional natural park, prioritizing the preservation of rural heritage and biodiversity. The park headquarters in Milly-la-Forêt acts as an information center for the 69 member communes within the territory. Visitors encounter a mix of plateau farmland and forested valleys containing rare flora like the purple mullein. Conservation efforts within the park focus on maintaining the traditional open-field landscape and the heather-rich heaths.
The sandstone 'chaos' at the Bois de la Commanderie or the rolling fields surrounding the Milly-la-Forêt plateau.
Download the park's official hiking app to navigate the web of forest trails that are often poorly marked.
Wear sturdy, ankle-supporting hiking boots if you intend to explore the rocky 'chaos' of the sandstone areas.
Bring your own water and supplies as the forest areas have no amenities.
Attempting to climb the sandstone rocks without proper safety gear or experience, and entering restricted forest zones during hunting season.
Trails are generally accessible year-round, but specific areas may be restricted during autumn and winter hunting seasons.
Stick to marked trails to protect fragile sandstone mosses and ground-nesting bird habitats.
