\paperw4260 \margr0\margl0 \plain \qj\li105\ri195 \f1 \b The Forest of Orient\par
\par
\b0 The Orient that has given its name to this small region owes nothing to the fact that
it lies to the east of Paris, but is a reference to the \i ôKnights of Orient,ö\i0 the Templars and Hospitalers, who used to own vast estates in this area. A vestige of immense expanses of woodland, the \i regional nature reserve of the forest of Orien
t\i0 was set up in 1970 and covers 70,000 hectares (173,000 acres). It combines sites of historical interest (such as Brienne-le-ChΓteau, Piney, and GΘraudot) and places of importance for their wildlife (the presence of game and a reserve for birds) wit
h aquatic sports and sailing (with the creation of three lakes to regulate the flow of the Seine and Aube).\par
