Bois de Boulogne

The Bois de Boulogne began its existence as the ancient oak forest of Rouvray, a vast woodland where Frankish kings like Dagobert hunted bears and deer. By the fifteenth century, the woods had become so overrun with brigands and outlaws that authorities took the drastic measure of burning large portions of the forest to the ground to flush them out. King Louis XI eventually replanted the area, enclosing it and marking it with controlled entrances to restore order to the royal domain.