Photo : Clame Reporter / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
La Chênaie Colbert
The Tronçais forest covers about 10,600 hectares in the north-west of the Allier département, across around ten communes including Cérilly and Isle-et-Bardais. Its oak grove owes much to Colbert: in 1670, the minister had the massif reorganised and delimited in order to produce quality oaks for shipbuilding. This high-forest management shaped the great trees still seen today.
Tronçais wood is renowned for its fine rings and regular grain, much sought after in cooperage. Remarkable trees include the Chêne carré, which exceeds 6 metres in circumference, and the Chêne Pilier, planted in 1821 and 47.5 metres tall. The forest shelters birds of prey, bats and many insects; it is listed as a ZNIEFF and a Natura 2000 zone. Since 2018, it has carried the "Forêt d'exception" label. It is explored on foot or by bike, following paths and forest rides.
