Deep within the urban sprawl of Paris, a secret sanctuary awaits. It’s a place where time seems to slow down. The Bois Saint-Martin whispers stories of centuries past. This sprawling 282-hectare woodland, larger than Hyde Park but smaller than Central Park, is a hidden gem. The Bois Saint-Martin straddles three communes: Noisy-le-Grand, Villiers-sur-Marne, and Le Plessis-Trévise. It’s a testament to nature’s resilience, a verdant oasis amidst the bustling metropolis. The Bois Saint-Martin’s history is a rich tapestry, interwoven with royalty, revolution, and remarkable figures.
Once known as the forest of Noisy, the Bois Saint-Martin’s earliest records date back to the 13th century. It belonged to the seigneurie of Gournay-sur-Marne, which later became the priory of Gournay-sur-Marne. The priory was attached to the community of Saint-Martin-des-Champs in Paris, hence the name Bois Saint-Martin. In 1718, the forest became the property of Marie Anne de Bourbon, the legitimized daughter of King Louis XIV and Louise de La Vallière. “Mademoiselle de Blois,” as she was known, married Louis de Bourbon, the 3rd Prince de Conti. She quickly ceded the property to her cousin.
The Bois Saint-Martin even graces the Cassini map, one of the oldest cartographic representations of France, circa 1750. Later, in 1776, Louis-François-Joseph, Prince de Conti, acquired a vast 700-hectare estate, encompassing the Bois Saint-Martin and neighboring lands. He was one of the seven princes of the blood who participated in the Assembly of Notables at Versailles. During the French Revolution, he swore the civic oath. He was later arrested and his properties confiscated, forcing him to flee to Spain. The Bois Saint-Martin was divided and sold. Parts went to two Marshals of the Empire: Marshal Mortier, Duke of Trévise, and Marshal Lefebvre, Duke of Dantzig. The latter’s widow, Catherine Hubscher, better known as Madame Sans-Gêne, lived there for a few years. Today, the avenue bordering the Bois Saint-Martin still bears the name Avenue de La Maréchale in her memory.
Another portion of the estate was acquired by Armand Théodore Santerre, a sugar refiner from Paris. The Bois Saint-Martin eventually passed down to his descendants, including Germaine Borde, who married Charles Petiet. The Petiet family boasts a fascinating lineage, including a Minister of War, high-ranking officials, generals, and officers. Charles Petiet himself was a prominent figure in the automotive industry.
The Bois Saint-Martin remained within the Petiet family until 2020. Then the Île-de-France region purchased it, opening a new chapter in its storied history. The Agence des Espaces Verts (AEV) now manages this remarkable natural space. They are working to make it accessible to the public while preserving its unique biodiversity. The Bois Saint-Martin is a haven for wildlife. Oak and hornbeam forests, meadows, and ponds create a mosaic of habitats. Protected species like the European honey buzzard, the middle spotted woodpecker, the black woodpecker, the crested newt, and the agile frog call this place home. The flora is just as diverse, with protected species like the burning lobelia adding to the Bois Saint-Martin’s charm.