# Bénouville

> commune in Seine-Maritime, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1169149](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1169149)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bénouville,_Seine-Maritime)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/b-nouville-q1169149

## Summary
Bénouville is a commune located in the Seine-Maritime department of France. It is a small rural municipality situated along the Normandy coast, known for its scenic cliffs and proximity to the historic Pegasus Bridge. The official website for the commune is [http://benouville76.fr](http://benouville76.fr).

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Bénouville, Seine-Maritime, France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.717222222222, Longitude 0.24944444444444
- **Population**: Ranges from 168 to 189 residents across recent years
- **Image Source**: [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFalaises_à_Bénouville_%28Seine-Maritime%29.jpg)
- **Image License**: Public domain
- **Official Website**: [http://benouville76.fr](http://benouville76.fr)
- **Part of Administrative Hierarchy**:
  - **Canton**: Criquetot-l'Esneval
  - **Arrondissement**: Le Havre
  - **Department**: Seine-Maritime
  - **Country**: France
- **Inception of Seine-Maritime Department**: March 4, 1790
- **Image Artist Attribution**: Touriste (assumed based on copyright claims)

## FAQs
**Where is Bénouville located?**  
Bénouville is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of northern France. It lies within the canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval and the arrondissement of Le Havre.

**What is the population of Bénouville?**  
Bénouville's population has ranged between 168 and 189 individuals in recent years, with fluctuations typical of small French communes.

**What is the administrative structure of Bénouville?**  
Bénouville is part of the canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval and falls under the arrondissement of Le Havre in the Seine-Maritime department. It is classified as a commune, the smallest administrative division in France.

**What is notable about Bénouville’s geography?**  
Bénouville is known for its proximity to the Caen Canal and the Orne River, and it features scenic coastal cliffs that are part of the broader Normandy landscape.

**Is Bénouville associated with any historical events?**  
Yes, Bénouville is near the site of the Pegasus Bridge, a key location in the D-Day landings during World War II, making it historically significant in the context of the Normandy invasion.

## Why It Matters
Bénouville holds historical and cultural significance due to its proximity to pivotal World War II sites such as the Pegasus Bridge, which was captured by British airborne forces on D-Day. As part of the Seine-Maritime department, it contributes to the rural and historical character of Normandy. Its small size and rural setting make it emblematic of the quiet, scenic charm of French coastal communes, while its location attracts historical tourism and commemorates major 20th-century events.

## Notable For
- **Historical Proximity**: Located near Pegasus Bridge, a strategic point in the 1944 Normandy landings
- **Scenic Cliffs**: Features picturesque coastal landscapes that are part of the Alabaster Coast
- **Small Population Commune**: Maintains a population under 200 residents
- **Cultural Tourism**: Attracts visitors interested in World War II history and rural French life
- **Public Domain Imagery**: Hosts notable images under public domain, used widely in historical and educational contexts

## Body

### Geography and Location
Bénouville is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of northern France. Its geographical coordinates are approximately latitude 49.717222222222 and longitude 0.24944444444444. The commune is nestled near the Caen Canal and the Orne River, offering views of the English Channel and the iconic cliffs of the Alabaster Coast. It is part of the canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval and administratively belongs to the arrondissement of Le Havre.

### Demographics and Population Trends
Bénouville's population has remained consistently small, ranging between 168 and 189 residents in recent years. This reflects the rural character of many Norman communes, where low population density and agricultural or historical significance define the community. The commune does not have large urban centers but maintains a quiet, residential character.

### Historical and Cultural Significance
Bénouville is historically significant due to its proximity to the Pegasus Bridge, which was the site of a critical operation during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. The bridge was captured by British airborne troops to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the landing zones. This event is commemorated annually and is a focal point for historical tourism in the region.

### Administrative Context
As a commune of France, Bénouville is part of the decentralized administrative structure of the French Republic. It belongs to:
- **Canton of Criquetot-l'Esneval**, a local electoral and administrative division
- **Arrondissement of Le Havre**, a sub-division of the Seine-Maritime department
- **Seine-Maritime Department**, established on March 4, 1790
- **Country**: France

This structure places Bénouville within the broader framework of French local governance, which emphasizes regional identity and municipal autonomy.

### Tourism and Imagery
Bénouville is associated with a widely recognized image titled "Falaises à Bénouville (Seine-Maritime)," which is in the public domain. The image, hosted on Wikimedia Commons, showcases the dramatic coastal cliffs and is often used in historical and travel contexts. The artist attribution is credited to "Touriste," based on the image's metadata.

### Digital Presence
The commune maintains an official website at [http://benouville76.fr](http://benouville76.fr), which provides local information and connects residents and visitors to municipal services and historical context.

### Commemoration and Legacy
Due to its association with the Pegasus Bridge and the events of D-Day, Bénouville is part of the broader historical narrative of World War II in Normandy. It serves as a quiet reminder of the region’s wartime past and its role in the liberation of France. The commune is visited by history enthusiasts and school groups interested in the events of 1944.

### Environmental and Regional Context
Bénouville's landscape is shaped by its coastal location and rural character. It is part of the Pays de Caux, a region known for its chalk cliffs, agricultural fields, and proximity to historic landmarks. The commune benefits from its inclusion in the scenic and historically rich Normandy region, which draws visitors from around the world.

In summary, Bénouville is a small but historically resonant commune that reflects both the natural beauty and historical depth of Normandy. Its identity is deeply tied to its role in World War II and its preservation of rural French life.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. Populations légales 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. GeoNames
20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
21. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)