This conifer forest is the largest of its kind in France, covering an area of 2 652ha. It is separated from the Forêt de la Fresse by the Angillon river to the south, and adjoins the Forêt de Levier to the north. Although mainly planted with conifers, the forest does contain small areas of broad-leaved trees. Some of its firs have reached an extraordinary size: close to 50m in height and a diameter of 1.20m. Since the 17C, wood from these forests has been used to make boat masts.