Forest-L'abbaye: Walking routes in the Crécy Forest and local history

Forest-L'abbaye can be explored for trip planning through two themes: walking routes in the Crécy Forest and the history of the village and its surroundings. Four named walking routes are associated with Forest-L'abbaye: Boucle des Galandeaux, Boucle des Grands Hêtres, Boucle des Vieux Chênes and Boucle des Mares. You can therefore plan your trip according to whether route lengths and scenery or historical themes are more important to you.

Hiking in the Crécy Forest

The four circular routes are considered easy and are between 6 and 8.5 km long. These two details offer different criteria for choosing: a stated difficulty level and the route distance. When comparing the routes, you can weigh the distance range against your day’s plans to decide which hike is right for you. Access may be affected seasonally by forestry work or hunting seasons. Check conditions before your hike.

The route adds a sense of direction to the distance details: the connected circular routes cross the forest diagonally from Regnière-Écluse in the northwest to Forest-L'abbaye in the southeast and connect to the GR 123. Length and difficulty provide a measure of the routes, while the diagonal route and connection to the GR 123 describe how they link into the trail network.

Nature and landscape

The Type I ZNIEFF “Massif forestier de Crécy, de Périot et de la Grande Vente” covers 79 hectares within the municipality of Forest-L'abbaye. This area figure refers to the municipal territory and uses a different measure from the walking routes’ distances: hectares denote area, while kilometres denote route length.

The Circuit du Geai walking route passes through forests and marshland. It also highlights the Crécy Forest as the site of the 1346 battle between the French and the English. The route therefore identifies both the landscapes it crosses and a specific historical connection.

History in Forest-L'abbaye

The cultural attractions have different historical reference points. The Église de la Nativité-de-la-Vierge in Forest-L'abbaye is protected as a historic monument; a decree dated 20 February 1920 established this designation. The Puits-pigeonnier dates from before 1600 and was relocated and restored near the multipurpose hall. At the edge of the Crécy Forest, the Templars established a commandery in the 13th century. The dates refer to different aspects: the church’s protected status, the construction period of the Puits-pigeonnier and the establishment of the commandery.

Guided tour of the forest’s history

If you are interested in the history of the forest, the guided tour “Focus sur 1000 ans d’histoire de la forêt de Crécy” explores the thousand-year history of the Crécy Forest. Its subject is the history of the forest; by contrast, the Circuit du Geai walking route highlights the 1346 battle as a specific historical connection. The tour takes place at 125 Voie Sorel, 80150 Forest-L'abbaye. Check the current programme before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Poulainville, Cerisy-Buleux, Ault, Rouy-le-Petit, Vadencourt, Béthencourt-Sur-Mer, Forest-Montiers and Albert.

For the main travel overview: Somme.