A forest of strangely shaped limestone rocks: you'll spot animals, faces…
The Bois de Païolive is a forest of holm and white oaks in the commune of Berrias-et-Casteljau, in the Ardèche. It covers 16 km² and is a protected natural site.
The forest is famous for its spectacular landscapes, including its chaos of limestone blocks, its caves and its sinkholes.
It is a very popular hiking area, with many trails through the forest. Highlights include:
- The Païolive chaos: a group of spectacularly shaped limestone blocks.
- The Salamander cave, open to the public, home to a colony of salamanders.
- The Aven de la Luire, a 110-metre-deep sinkhole.
The Bois de Païolive is home to rich and varied wildlife and plants: birds of prey, wild boar, roe deer and orchids.
It is also a place of history: traces of human occupation going back to prehistoric times have been found here.
A unique, magical place, ideal for a walk in nature among spectacular scenery.
