Cerisy Forest (forêt de Cerisy or forêt de Balleroy), is a 2,127-hectare (5,260-acre)[1]beech woodland (75% of the land), located in the French Calvados and Manche departments.
Since 1976 it is a national nature reserve managed by l'Office national des forêts (ONF). At Cerisy, its goal partly resides in the conservation of an endemical golden sub-species of carabus auronitens, which is protected at national level.
Fauna
One can sight deer like stags, roe, as well as boars, badgers, foxes.
One is advised to be careful and not perturb the population on foot as well as by car, as accidents are frequent.
Cerisy-la-Forêt is a village to the west of the forest. Its 11th century abbey was built on the site of a priory founded in 510 by Saint Vigor, bishop of Bayeux. it is a benedictine monastery.
Le Molay-Littry is a town north of the forest. It hosted the only coal mine in Normandy, of which a museum now stands.
La maison de la Forêt et du Tourisme (expositions sur la faune et flore en forêt de Cerisy, métiers liés au bois, animations pour groupes et individuels).