Fontainebleau forest near Paris reopens after devastating wildfire

A hugely popular forest outside Paris reopened to the public Saturday after being partially ravaged by a wildfire in July which forced the closure of the beloved nature oasis. Although part of the Fontainebleau forest remains off limits for now, 80 percent of the area has reopened and large groups of walkers, rock climbers and other outdoor enthusiasts flocked to the woods to take advantage of the late summer sun. The sprawling forest, around 60 kilometres (40 miles) southeast of the Fernch capital, is a particular magnet for climbers who come from around the world to tackle its famous boulders. "It's a return to the good old habits," said Gilles Moutounet, a 59-year-old retail executive who spends most of his weekends climbing in Fontainebleau. A few metres away, on another boulder, a retired couple dressed in green were also defying the laws of gravity. Stefano Rosso, nearly 70 and accompanied by his wife, has been visiting the forest's climbing sites for 30 years. The couple travelled here from the Italian city of Turin. While holidaying in the region, they made the trip over first thing in the morning. "We're happy for ourselves, of course, but also for the community and local ...