The Forêt de Bouconne is located in southwest France, on the border of the departments of Gers and Haute-Garonne about thirty kilometres west of Toulouse. The forest has an area of 27 km2 (10 sq mi) and is managed primarily by the National Forests Office (20 km2 (7.7 sq mi)). It also includes privately owned woods and woods belonging to the local communes of L'Isle-Jourdain, Lévignac-sur-Save, Montaigut-sur-Save. It is the only large forest near Toulouse. It hosts a leisure centre and outdoor recreation areas.
| Forêt de Bouconne | |
|---|---|
 Paths in the Forêt de Bouconne | |
| Map | |
  | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gers and Haute-Garonne, Midi-Pyrénées, France |
| Coordinates | 43°38′00″N 1°15′00″E / 43.63333°N 1.25°E |
| Area | 27 km2 (10 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Status | Mixed ownership |
| Governing body | National Forests Office |
| Ecology | |
| Dominant tree species | Quercus petraea, pine, sweet chestnut |
| Fauna | Wild boar, roe deer |
The Forêt de Bouconne is traversed by many paths used by walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders.
History
editUp until the Middle Ages, the forest extended much further than its present boundaries. To the south it reached the Forêt de Fabas and the Forêt de Mauboussin near Esparron.,[1] still-existing fragments of the once much larger forest.
Fauna and flora
editThe dominant tree species in the forest are sessile oak, pine and sweet chestnut. Among the other trees present are pedunculate oak, cork oak, alder, hornbeam, lime, service tree, ash, Nordmann fir, red oak and Scots pine.[2]
It is home to wild boar and roe deer. Other smaller mammal species are present such as the genet, fox and badger. The short-toed eagle hunts on its periphery.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ourliac Paul Les villages de la région toulousaine au XIIe siècle Annales. Économies, Sociétés, Civilisations. 4e année, N. 3, 1949. pp. 268-277, accessed on 21 February 2010 (in French)
- ^ See the Official website of the Syndicat Mixte pour l'Aménagement de la Forêt de Bouconne[permanent dead link].