The forest massif formed by the Bois de la Côte and Bois de la Roche occupies the western end and the steep, scree slopes of a limestone plateau with special microclimates, giving rise to varied forests that are very typical of the southern part of the Haute-Marne department: xerophytic oak woodland with pubescent oak on well-exposed slopes, beech woodland and maple grove on north-facing slopes (Tilio-Acerion), calcareous oak woodland-beech woodland on the plateau and oak woodland-oak woodland at the foot of the slopes (Aconito-Quercetum). The latter, of montane affinity, is locally well-developed, as is the maple grove on the shaded scree slopes on the ubac. On the rocky outcrops, there is a grouping of plants belonging to the Potentillion caulescentis. Some of the interesting plant species are mountain species favoured by the site's cold microclimate (spring snowflake and monkshood, which are protected at regional level) and some are southern species found in the xerophilous oak woodland, such as the white violet, which is at the limit of its range in the Haute-Marne and is on the red list of plants in Champagne-Ardenne. The forest is in good condition, although it is regrettable that some daffodil beds have been devastated by intensive picking, almost systematic removal of bulbs and heavy trampling.
Undeveloped site
Access reserved for an informed and respectful public
Bois de la Côte
