Paimpont forest has been designated as Brocélien in the 15th century.
It was referred to in Breton name Brec'Helean.
Because of its importance, the forest has been put under royal jurisdiction.
It has been repeatedly exploited for construction needs of the city of Rennes, in particular in the 15th century.

The Forges of Paimpont were the most important wood forges of Brittany, operating from the 16th century until the end of the 19th century.
Their location was enabled by the proximity of an open-cast deposit of iron ore at Gelée, a site near the village of Paimpont, the existence of a major river system, and the easy supply of locally produced charcoal.
The forest was overexploited for the needs of the forges.

During the period of the French Revolution, the abolition of privileges triggered a massive clearings of forests as the wood was excessively exploited for the power supply of the charcoal blast furnaces for the local industry.
In 1804, the prefect of the department wrote the forest at Paimpont was in state of degradation and threatened by complete destruction.

In 1875, the forest was bought from Prince Philippe, Count of Paris by shipowner and industrialist Louis Levesque, "for rest and pleasure".
The new owner created the Domaine de Paimpont and organized hunts of wild boars and deer.
The exploitation of the forest by the local population was restricted to be only under licenses and the supervision of private forest rangers.
Between the two world wars, the forest has been part of the hunting grounds of the Duke of Westminster.

During World War I, the forest, deprived of most of its guards, was affected by major fires of unknown origin.
During World War II, paratroopers of the SAS of Free France were dropped to join the partisans of the FFI in the forest with the mission of delaying German reinforcements as part of the Normandy landings in 1944.

In September 1990, a great fire devastated the forest of Paimpont and especially the Val sans retour, raging for five days.
Afterwards, during 1991-1992, thousands of volunteers planted more than half million new trees.
In the 1990s, a dam project on the Aff for the water supply of the Rennes region caused a controversy and protests before being abandoned.
Paimpont forest has been designated as Brocélien in the 15th century. It was referred to in Breton name Brec'Helean. Because of its importance, the forest has been put under royal jurisdiction. It has been repeatedly exploited for construction needs of the city of Rennes, in particular in the 15th century. 
The Forges of Paimpont were the most important wood forges of Brittany, operating from the 16th century until the end of the 19th century. Their location was enabled by the proximity of an open-cast deposit of iron ore at Gelée, a site near the village of Paimpont, the existence of a major river system, and the easy supply of locally produced charcoal. The forest was overexploited for the needs of the forges.
During the period of the French Revolution, the abolition of privileges triggered a massive clearings of forests as the wood was excessively exploited for the power supply of the charcoal blast furnaces for the local industry. In 1804, the prefect of the department wrote the forest at Paimpont was in state of degradation and threatened by complete destruction.
In 1875, the forest was bought from Prince Philippe, Count of Paris by shipowner and industrialist Louis Levesque, "for rest and pleasure". The new owner created the Domaine de Paimpont and organized hunts of wild boars and deer. The exploitation of the forest by the local population was restricted to be only under licenses and the supervision of private forest rangers. Between the two world wars, the forest has been part of the hunting grounds of the Duke of Westminster.
During World War I, the forest, deprived of most of its guards, was affected by major fires of unknown origin. During World War II, paratroopers of the SAS of Free France were dropped to join the partisans of the FFI in the forest with the mission of delaying German reinforcements as part of the Normandy landings in 1944.
In September 1990, a great fire devastated the forest of Paimpont and especially the Val sans retour, raging for five days. Afterwards, during 1991-1992, thousands of volunteers planted more than half million new trees. In the 1990s, a dam project on the Aff for the water supply of the Rennes region caused a controversy and protests before being abandoned.
Paimpont forest