Nuits des Forêts (Parc national de forêts)
Nocturnal and immersive festival in the heart of the Parc national de forêts
About Nuits des Forêts
Nuits des Forêts: Rediscover the Forest Differently
Every June, the Parc national de forêts partners with the Nuits des Forêts association to offer a unique festival dedicated to the (re)discovery of the forest through intimate, immersive, and nocturnal experiences. For about ten days, the forest massifs of Châtillon, Arc-en-Barrois, and Auberive become the stage for free events combining nature, culture, and conviviality.
A Festival in the Heart of France's First Forest National Park
Created in 2019 between Côte-d'Or and Haute-Marne, the Parc national de forêts is the eleventh French national park and the first entirely dedicated to the protection of lowland deciduous forests. This exceptional territory of 241,000 hectares is home to remarkable biodiversity: deer, roe deer, wildcats, nocturnal raptors, bats, and an exceptionally rich flora. It is in this preserved setting that the Nuits des Forêts takes on its full meaning, offering the public total immersion in the secret life of the forest.
A Rich and Varied Program
The program for the Nuits des Forêts at the Parc national de forêts is structured around several types of activities, all free and open to everyone:
- Nocturnal Nature Outings: Accompanied by naturalists and park rangers, participants discover nocturnal wildlife—owls, deer, bats—learning to observe and listen to the sounds of the forest at dusk.
- Storytelling Walks: Storytellers and actors lead the public on twilight walks filled with forest legends, mythological tales, and stories from around the world, sometimes embodied by masked actors.
- Open-Air Film Screenings: Thanks to a partnership with the Cinécyclo association, short films about nature and biodiversity are screened outdoors, with the video projector's energy supplied by a bicycle generator pedaled by the public.
- "Perched" Conferences: Researchers, foresters, and artists share their knowledge in original conferences held high up, perched in trees or on platforms installed in the forest.
- Participatory Workshops: Creative workshops, stargazing with the association Terre et Ciel du Barrois, forest role-playing games (Werewolves of Thiercelieux), and biodiversity listening workshops complete the program.
Auberive, Gateway to the National Park
The commune of Auberive, nestled in the Aube valley, is one of the festival's anchor points in Haute-Marne. Its Cistercian abbey founded in 1135, now a contemporary art center, and the surrounding forests offer an ideal setting for the Nuits des Forêts activities. The "Porte de coeur" in Auberive hosts open-air screenings and nocturnal events.
Commitment to Environmental Awareness
Beyond entertainment, the Nuits des Forêts carries a strong message of raising awareness about forest issues. In the face of climate change, droughts, and pressure on ecosystems, the festival invites everyone to reconnect with the forest, understand its fragilities, and commit to its preservation. The events are designed in partnership with the Office national des forêts, local naturalist associations, and regional stakeholders to ensure rigorous and accessible scientific content.
Nuits des Forêts — edition 2026
The 6th edition of Nuits des Forêts at Parc national de forêts will take place from June 11 to 14, 2026, under the theme « Listening to the Living ». The National Park is once again partnering with the national association Nuits des Forêts to offer 11 free events over 4 days in the forests of Haute-Marne and Côte-d'Or, in partnership with numerous local artists.
A 6th edition focused on listening
From June 11 to 14, 2026, the Parc national de forêts invites nature lovers to (re)discover the forest through fun, cultural, and artistic activities, at dusk or at night. This 2026 edition is themed « Listening to the Living »: it's about approaching the forest as a living space and listening to it to reveal all its richness — rustling leaves, birdsong, creaking wood, but also the voices of scientists, forest technicians, residents, and users of the territory.
11 events over 4 days
The National Park offers 11 events spread over 4 days, in partnership with numerous artists from Côte-d'Or and Haute-Marne, to explore the forests differently:
- Twilight walks and storytelling strolls in the heart of the forests
- Musical siesta in the forest
- Stargazing with the Terre et Ciel du Barrois association
- Forest concerts and musical performances in nature
- Naturalist outing « The nocturnal life of the forest »
- Bat observation (« The wings of the night »)
- Open-air screening by Cinécyclo (video projector powered by a bike-generator)
- The Orchestre National des Forêts
- Live shows combining theatre and soundscapes
Ambassador site 2026
The Parc national de forêts is designated ambassador site 2026 of the national festival. As such, from June 5 to 19, it hosts an artist residency by the VAGUE collective (founded by Maë Rebuttini, co-directed with Yannick Gonzalez Altmann), combining live arts, writing, sound, and performance, with a participatory approach involving residents, scientists, and local stakeholders. The residency concludes with an immersive artistic vigil on June 19, followed by a night in the forest for about thirty participants.
A national festival
The Nuits des Forêts at the National Park are part of the 7th edition of the national festival, which takes place from June 5 to 21, 2026, across more than 250 sites in metropolitan France, La Réunion, New Caledonia, and Mayotte. For 17 days, hundreds of free activities are offered for all ages, combining concerts, workshops, storytelling, and the participatory Wooding movement focused on sustainable action in the forest.
Mandatory registration
All events are free, but prior registration is mandatory: the number of places is limited to respect the tranquility of natural environments. Nocturnal activities often fill up quickly — it is advisable to register as soon as reservations open on the Parc national de forêts website.
Highlights Nuits des Forêts 2026
- 2026 Theme: « Listening to the Living »
- 11 free events over 4 days in the forests of Haute-Marne and Côte-d'Or
- Ambassador site 2026 of the national festival
- Artist residency by the VAGUE collective and immersive vigil on June 19
- Parallel national festival from June 5 to 21, 2026, across 250+ sites in France
- Night walks, musical siesta, stargazing and bat observation
- Open-air screening by Cinécyclo, Orchestre National des Forêts
Prices Nuits des Forêts 2026
Practical information — Nuits des Forêts
Festival Access
By Car: Auberive is located on the D428, about 45 minutes from Langres and 1 hour from Chaumont. The Parc national de forêts extends between Côte-d'Or and Haute-Marne. The exact locations of the activities are communicated upon registration, as events take place in various forest sites within the park (Auberive, Arc-en-Barrois, Châtillon-sur-Seine, Leuchey, Aubepierre-sur-Aube, etc.).
By Train: The nearest stations are Langres (TGV) and Chaumont (TGV and TER). It is recommended to have a vehicle to reach the festival sites in the forest.
Mandatory Registration
All events are free, but prior registration is mandatory, as the number of places is limited to respect the tranquility of the natural environment. Nocturnal activities often fill up quickly: it is advisable to register as soon as reservations open.
Registration: by phone at 06 74 23 30 91 or by email at [email protected]
Recommended Equipment
As activities take place in the forest, often in the evening and at night, it is recommended to bring:
- Hiking shoes suitable for forest paths
- Warm and waterproof clothing (forest nights can be cool even in June)
- A headlamp (preferably with a red light to avoid disturbing wildlife)
- Insect repellent
Visitors are asked to behave respectfully towards the environment: maintain silence, do not leave waste, and stay on marked trails.
Event Locations
Activities are spread across several communes within the Parc national de forêts territory in Haute-Marne: Auberive, Arc-en-Barrois, Aubepierre-sur-Aube, Leuchey, Faverolles, among others. The detailed program with precise locations is published a few weeks before the festival on the Parc national de forêts website.
Contact
Parc national de forêts
20 rue Anatole Gabeur
52210 Arc-en-Barrois
Phone: 03 25 31 62 35
Events Department: 06 74 23 30 91
Email: [email protected]
Find the full program on the Parc national de forêts website: www.forets-parcnational.fr and on the national festival website: nuitsdesforets.com
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Where does it take place — Nuits des Forêts
Parc national de forêts – secteur Auberive
Porte de coeur d'Auberive, 52160 Auberive