Merville-Franceville-Plage
| Merville-Franceville-Plage | ||
|---|---|---|
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First aid post | ||
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  Merville-Franceville-Plage | ||
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Location within Lower Normandy region  Merville-Franceville-Plage | ||
| Coordinates: 49°16′39″N 0°12′12″W / 49.277500°N 00.203290°WCoordinates: 49°16′39″N 0°12′12″W / 49.277500°N 00.203290°W | ||
| Country | France | |
| Region | Normandy | |
| Department | Calvados | |
| Arrondissement | Caen | |
| Canton | Cabourg | |
| Intercommunality | Campagne et Baie de l'Orne | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor (2008–2014) | Olivier Paz | |
| Area1 | 10.42 km2 (4.02 sq mi) | |
| Population (2008)2 | 1,874 | |
| • Density | 180/km2 (470/sq mi) | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 14409 / 14810 | |
| Elevation |
0–42 m (0–138 ft) (avg. 14 m or 46 ft) | |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | ||
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Merville-Franceville-Plage is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.
Geography
Merville-Franceville-Plage, more usually called Franceville, is situated on the Côte Fleurie, 6 km from Cabourg and 14 km (8.7 mi) from Caen. Merville Franceville is located on the right/east side of the Baie de l'Orne.
The back country is a plain, favourable to cereal cultivation and dairy cattle.
Population
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1962 | 948 | — |
| 1968 | 1,046 | +10.3% |
| 1975 | 1,184 | +13.2% |
| 1982 | 1,309 | +10.6% |
| 1990 | 1,317 | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 1,521 | +15.5% |
| 2008 | 1,874 | +23.2% |
Climate
The commune has a maritime climate : Winters are warm and summers rarely suffer from excessive heat.
Sights
- Redoute de Merville, fortification edified on Vauban's plans in 1779. Rediscovered by the occupying forces during World War II.
- Batterie de Merville or Merville Gun Battery is an historic site situated in the eastern flank of the landing area Sword Beach where Lieutenant-Colonel Terence Otway carried out a heroic mission with his men of the 9th Battalion of parachutists before the dawn of D-Day by neutralizing the artillery of the German battery, which is known as the Battle of Merville Gun Battery.
Tourism
Merville Franceville is attractive for families, thanks to the various beach activities and excursions in the back-country.
This town is famous for being a good spot for kite surfing.
Twin towns
See also
References
Photos
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Town hall
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seafront
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low tide
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footpath to the beach
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miniature golf
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former railway station now solicitor office
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Merville-Franceville-Plage. |
- (fr-en) Tourist Office Website
- (fr-en) City council website
