Tourism in French forests. the Retrouvance® project

Forest tourism, called silvatourism, has been present in human life for centuries. Kings, princes, prime ministers and other high officials always rested in hunting lodges or residences built near forests. Today tourists also gladly visit forests. There are forested areas which tourists have known and been exploring for years, but there are also valuable natural areas which are rarely visited, although they are not under formal protection. The lack of tourists at a given place is frequently caused by the shortage of proper tourist infrastructure or effective promotion. However, we may find examples of tourist projects based on smooth and effective cooperation between local, state and private entities, which are looking for financing sources together, and jointly work on a plan to develop tourism in forests and on its implementation. The French Retrouvance® project is a perfect example here