Despite being the subject of an international manhunt, the 30-year-old music teacher appeared to be making little effort to hide.
Mr Forrest spent several days with Megan in Paris, before abandoning his car and taking the train to the city in south-west France.
By Friday afternoon, however, they appeared to be running out of money. Having already had an interview for one bar job, he was en route to another with Megan when they were stopped by French police.
After eight days on the run, Mr Forrest was arrested on suspicion of child abduction, although he will not face charges in France.
He appeared in court in Bordeaux on Friday night under an extradition warrant issued by the British authorities.
Mr Forrest, wearing a blue-and-white checked top with dark trousers, cut a dismal figure as he was escorted from the city’s criminal court by four plain clothes police officers after the short hearing.
He is due back in court on Tuesday. A legal source said he would not fight extradition to the UK.
Megan was taken into police protection and sent to hospital for medical checks. She is expected to return home to her family in Britain on Saturday.
Family members, who had been distraught with worry since she went missing on Thursday last week, said they were "over the moon" that she had been found safe and well.
Martin Stammers, her step-father, said: "Danielle [Megan’s mother] and I are so relieved that Megan has been found safe and well and we just can’t wait to be reunited with her. Our family are overjoyed."
Ch Insp Jason Tingley, of Sussex police, disclosed that police were already investigating two possible sightings in south-west France when a third was made on Thursday afternoon.
A member of the public recognised the pair from television coverage, and police were able to act swiftly.
Mr Forrest, a married maths teacher at Bishop Bell Church of England School in Eastbourne, East Sussex, had been under investigation overhis relationship with Megan before fleeing to France with her.
Mr Stammers, 43, said he was "thrilled to bits, just over the moon" that his missing stepdaughter had been found. "As time goes on you despair even more, but knowing Megan, knowing the girl she is, I always had that belief that she was strong enough within herself to remain safe and well," he said.
Megan’s sister Brooke wrote on Twitter: "Absolutely on top of the world right now to know our Megan is safe and sound! Love you so much my beautiful sister."
Mr Forrest’s parents Jim and Julie said they were relieved that the "ordeal" of all the families involved was finally over.
The couple, from Petts Wood in South London, said in a statement: "We are relieved that the search is finally over and everyone can now focus on a safe and secure return for them both."
Terry Boatwright, the headmaster of Bishop Bell School, said he was "delighted" that the schoolgirl had been found.
Sussex Police said the information that led to Megan and Mr Forrest being found came as a "direct result" of media coverage in France.
There are concerns that future police appeals for help finding a missing child in a similar case could be hampered by a new law coming into force next week which grants anonymity to teachers subject to criminal allegations.
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