Macron pledges forest restoration fund after wildfires scorch Fontainebleau
The National Forest Office and local authorities launch campaign to restore historic woodland, which saw 10 per cent of its area burn and forced 1,000 residents to flee.
French President Emmanuel Macron has committed to the replanting of the Fontainebleau forest following devastating wildfires that have scorched at least 10 per cent of the 20,000-hectare area. The blaze, which forced approximately 1,000 residents to evacuate their homes, has now been contained, although officials warn that complete extinguishment will require several weeks.
During a visit to the site on Thursday, Macron announced the launch of a coordinated fundraising campaign aimed at restoring the historic woodland. The initiative is being led by the Fontainebleau municipality, the National Forest Office (ONF), and the Fondation du Patrimoine. Describing the forest as a "treasure" for both biodiversity and public access, the president framed the restoration effort as a national priority.
The Fontainebleau forest, located south of Paris, holds significant cultural and ecological value. Historically a royal hunting ground, it later became a celebrated subject for Impressionist painters and remains a popular destination for hikers and climbers drawn to its distinctive boulders. The scale of the recent damage has prompted immediate calls for institutional support to rehabilitate the landscape.
While the immediate fire threat has subsided, the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. French police are currently looking into reports of suspected pyromaniacs believed to have started the fire, though no definitive conclusions have been reached. The uncertainty surrounding the origin of the flames underscores the challenges faced by authorities in managing such large-scale environmental incidents.
The president’s pledge draws parallels to his administration’s response to the 2019 fire at Notre-Dame cathedral, which led to a global fundraising effort raising nearly €900 million before the site reopened in 2024. However, officials caution that the restoration timeline for the forest will be measured in years rather than months, with the current focus remaining on stabilising the area and supporting displaced residents.
