The Forêt d'Écouves is a large area of woodland in the Normandy region of northern France.
Location and topography
The forest is located in the Ornedépartement of France, north of Alençon, between the communes of Carrouges in the west and Sées in the east. It covers an area of approximately, being east to west and between wide. It is generally between above sea level, although at one point the elevation rises to above sea level, which is the highest point in all of Normandy. The forest comprises part of the Normandie-Maine Regional Natural Park, founded in 1975, along with the Andaines and Perseigne forests.
Flora and fauna
Approximately hectares of the land covered by the forest is varied planting of broad-leaved and pine trees. It is well known for its varied wildlife, particularly deer and birds. Wolves were historically a common feature of the forest, the last recorded capture being in 1882. The Lothar Storm hit the forest on 26 December 1999, with recorded gusts reaching 166 km/h. This devastated 838 hectares, felling 180,000 m3 of woodland. The Office national des forêts authorities implemented a replanting programme shortly afterwards to restore the forest habitat.
A significant skirmish took place in the forest in August 1944 as part of the wider battle of the Falaise Pocket. The 2nd French Armoured Division had landed at Utah Beach in Normandy on 1 August 1944, about two months after the D-Day landings, and served under General Patton's Third Army. Following the recapture of Alençon on 12 August 1944, the Division, led by General Leclerc, proceeded north towards Argentan. The armoured column entered the forest by the south in order to tackle the 9th Panzer Division, which was hidden in the forest. In Le Gateys, on the only road, a Sherman tank was hit by a German anti tank missile, resulting in the death of Colonel Rémy's eighteen-year-old son, Roger. At La Croix de Medavy, Sherman and Panzers clashed but the French were reinforced by the Putz armoured column which had recently set out from Sées. The following day, on 13 August 1944, the two French armoured columns, named Roumiantzoff and Putz, triumphed. The small Les Gateys National Cemetery contains 19 soldiers from the 2nd French Armoured Division killed during the battle.
Notable sites
A 16th-century priory dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria
On the first Sunday of September each year, the forest is host to the Trans Écouvesmountain biking event. This meeting of VTT enthusiasts has been part of the all-terrain biking scene since 1990. The event is usually based from Radon, a small commune in the south-east of the forest.
