# Bénouville

> commune in Calvados, France

**Wikidata**: [Q316912](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316912)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bénouville,_Calvados)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/b-nouville

## Summary

Bénouville is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of northwestern France, located approximately 14 kilometers north of Caen. The commune is historically significant for its role during the D-Day landings of World War II, as it was the site of Pegasus Bridge, the first bridge captured by Allied forces during the Normandy invasion, and the nearby Café Gondrée, which served as a command post during the operation.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Normandy region, Calvados department, arrondissement of Caen
- **Coordinates**: 49.241111°N, 0.279722°W
- **Country**: France
- **Administrative status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision established +1789)
- **Department**: Calvados (French department since March 4, 1790)
- **Administrative division**: Arrondissement of Caen
- **Historical significance**: Site of Pegasus Bridge capture during D-Day (June 6, 1944)
- **Notable nearby landmark**: Café Gondrée, the first house liberated in France during WWII
- **Population**: Approximately 2,000-2,100 residents (modern estimates)
- **Website**: http://www.mairie-benouville.fr

## FAQs

**What is Bénouville known for?**

Bénouville is best known for its role during the D-Day landings of World War II. It was the site of Pegasus Bridge, a strategically important bridge over the Caen Canal that was captured by British airborne forces in the early hours of June 6, 1944. This was the first Allied victory of the Normandy invasion. The nearby Café Gondrée served as a command post during the operation and was the first house liberated in France during WWII.

**Where is Bénouville located?**

Bénouville is located in the Normandy region of France, in the Calvados department, approximately 14 kilometers north of Caen. It sits in the arrondissement of Caen and lies near the coast of the English Channel.

**What is Pegasus Bridge?**

Pegasus Bridge is a bridge in Normandy that spans the Caen Canal near Bénouville. It was built in 1934 and was the target of a crucial glider assault during the D-Day landings. The bridge was captured intact by British troops from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, allowing Allied forces to secure the eastern flank of the landing beaches. The bridge was later renamed Pegasus Bridge in honor of the British airborne forces' insignia.

**What is the relationship between Bénouville and Café Gondrée?**

Café Gondrée is a historic café located in Bénouville that played a significant role during the D-Day landings. It served as a command post for Allied forces during the capture of Pegasus Bridge and was the first house liberated in France during World War II. The café remains a notable landmark and symbol of the liberation of Normandy.

**What administrative region does Bénouville belong to?**

Bénouville is a commune in the Calvados department of Normandy, France. It is part of the arrondissement of Caen. As a commune of France, it is a territorial subdivision that serves as the lowest level of administrative division in the country, a system that was established in 1789.

## Why It Matters

Bénouville holds profound historical significance as one of the first territories liberated during the Allied invasion of Normandy in World War II. The successful capture of Pegasus Bridge on June 6, 1944, was a critical early victory that helped secure the eastern flank of the D-Day landings. This operation demonstrated the effectiveness of airborne forces and paved the way for the eventual Allied breakout from the Normandy beaches.

The commune's connection to Café Gondrée adds to its historical importance, as this establishment served as both a military command post and a symbol of liberation. The events that unfolded in Bénouville on D-Day marked the beginning of the end for Nazi occupation in Western Europe and remain a pivotal moment in 20th-century history.

Beyond its wartime heritage, Bénouville represents the broader narrative of Normandy's resilience and its enduring relationship with Allied nations, particularly the United Kingdom. The commune serves as a living memorial to the sacrifices made by Allied forces and continues to attract historians, veterans, and visitors from around the world who seek to honor and understand the events that shaped the course of the war.

## Notable For

- **First bridge captured during D-Day**: Pegasus Bridge was the first bridge seized by Allied forces on June 6, 1944, and the only bridge captured intact during the initial hours of the invasion
- **First house liberated in France**: Café Gondrée holds the distinction of being the first house liberated in France during WWII
- **Strategic D-Day location**: Bénouville's position near the Caen Canal made it a critical objective for securing the eastern flank of the Allied landing zones
- **Historical preservation**: The commune maintains landmarks and memorials that commemorate the D-Day operations and honor the soldiers who participated in the assault

## Body

### Geography and Location

Bénouville is situated in the Normandy region of northwestern France, specifically in the Calvados department. The commune lies within the arrondissement of Caen, approximately 14 kilometers north of the city of Caen itself. Geographically, Bénouville is positioned at coordinates 49.241111°N latitude and 0.279722°W longitude, placing it in the heart of the Normandy countryside near the coast of the English Channel.

The commune's location made it strategically significant during World War II, as it controlled access to the Caen Canal—a vital transportation route that connected the interior of Normandy to the coast. The flat terrain surrounding the commune was suitable for the glider landings that formed part of the D-Day operation.

### Historical Background

#### Pre-War Period

Bénouville existed as a commune of France long before the events of World War II. The commune system in France was established in 1789, during the French Revolution, and Bénouville has operated under this administrative structure since that time. The department of Calvados, which includes Bénouville, was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments.

The commune is part of the arrondissement of Caen, which serves as an administrative subdivision within the Calvados department. This administrative organization reflects the broader governmental structure of Normandy and facilitates local governance and coordination with regional authorities.

#### World War II and D-Day

The most significant moment in Bénouville's history occurred on June 6, 1944, during the Allied invasion of Normandy. On that day, British airborne forces launched an assault on Pegasus Bridge, which spans the Caen Canal at Bénouville. This operation, known as Operation Deadstick, was designed to secure the bridge before it could be destroyed by German forces.

The assault was carried out by men of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who landed in gliders and quickly overcame the German garrison defending the bridge. The capture of Pegasus Bridge was completed with minimal casualties, and the bridge was secured intact—a rare achievement on D-Day, as most other bridges in the area were destroyed by retreating German forces.

Simultaneously, another glider-borne force landed near Café Gondrée, a local establishment that served as a command post during the operation. The café, owned by the Gondrée family, became the first house liberated in France during World War II. The Gondrée family later became known for their hospitality to Allied soldiers and their descendants continue to operate the establishment as a memorial to those events.

#### Post-War Significance

Following the war, Bénouville became a symbol of the Allied liberation and a destination for veterans, historians, and tourists seeking to understand and commemorate the D-Day landings. The commune has preserved several landmarks related to the 1944 events, including Pegasus Bridge and Café Gondrée.

Pegasus Bridge was later renamed in honor of the British airborne forces, whose insignia features a winged horse (Pegasus). The original bridge has been preserved and now sits in a memorial garden near the current bridge, which continues to carry traffic over the Caen Canal.

### Administration and Demographics

Bénouville operates as a commune within the French administrative system. As such, it is governed by a mayor and municipal council, who manage local affairs including urban planning, public services, and community activities. The commune maintains a website at http://www.mairie-benouville.fr, providing information about local government and services to residents and visitors.

The population of Bénouville has fluctuated over the years, with modern estimates placing the number of residents at approximately 2,000 to 2,100 people. This population size is typical for rural communes in Normandy, where agriculture and small-scale industry have historically been the primary economic activities.

### Connection to Surrounding Areas

Bénouville's location within the arrondissement of Caen places it in close proximity to several other historically significant communities in Normandy. The commune is part of a region that saw some of the heaviest fighting during the Battle of Normandy, and many nearby towns and villages share similar stories of liberation and reconstruction following the war.

The Caen Canal, which Pegasus Bridge spans, remains an important waterway in the region, serving both agricultural and recreational purposes. The surrounding countryside is characterized by farmland and small settlements, typical of the Normandy landscape that was so dramatically altered by the events of June 1944.

### Cultural and Historical Legacy

Bénouville's role in D-Day has ensured its place in the collective memory of both France and the Allied nations. The commune attracts visitors from around the world, particularly from the United Kingdom, where the units that captured Pegasus Bridge were based. Annual commemorations on June 6th honor the soldiers who participated in the assault and remember those who gave their lives during the operation.

Café Gondrée has become a pilgrimage site for veterans and their families, who come to see the place where the first shots of the liberation were fired and the first territory was regained. The café continues to operate as a restaurant and museum, displaying artifacts from the D-Day period and offering visitors a tangible connection to the events of 1944.

The preservation of Pegasus Bridge and its transformation into a memorial reflects the broader effort in Normandy to maintain the physical evidence of the liberation. This commitment to historical preservation ensures that future generations will be able to understand and appreciate the significance of what occurred in Bénouville and throughout the region on D-Day and in the weeks that followed.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. [Source](https://archives.calvados.fr/classificationScheme/11d99609-7d05-4864-9e3e-7f744d9c2753)
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. MusicBrainz
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)