# Basseneville

> commune in Calvados, France

**Wikidata**: [Q839830](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q839830)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basseneville)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/basseneville

## Summary

Basseneville is a commune located in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of northwestern France. Situated at coordinates 49.2°N latitude and -0.1294°E longitude, it belongs to the arrondissement of Lisieux and was historically part of the canton of Dozulé until March 2015. As a French commune, Basseneville operates as a territorial subdivision within the French Republic, a unitary semi-presidential republic and founding member of the European Union.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Basseneville, Calvados, Normandy region, France
- **Coordinates**: 49.2°N, -0.1294°E
- **Administrative status**: Commune in Calvados department
- **Arrondissement**: Lisieux
- **Former canton**: Dozulé (until March 2015)
- **Country**: France
- **Commune type**: France territorial subdivision for municipalities (established 1789)
- **Department inception**: Calvados established March 4, 1790
- **Population records**: 259, 261, 257, 254, 195, 197, 223, 234, 263, 258, 257, 260, 252, 249, 251, 249, 253 (various census years)
- **Wikipedia title**: Basseneville
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Calvados, France
- **Sitelink count**: 46

## FAQs

**What region and department is Basseneville located in?**

Basseneville is located in the Normandy region (Normandie) of northwestern France, specifically in the Calvados department. It belongs to the arrondissement of Lisieux and was previously part of the canton of Dozulé until administrative reorganization in March 2015.

**What type of administrative area is Basseneville?**

Basseneville is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established in 1789 during the French Revolution and serves as the fundamental level of local government in the French Republic.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Basseneville?**

Basseneville is situated at approximately 49.2 degrees north latitude and -0.1294 degrees east longitude, placing it in the northwestern part of France in the Calvados department near the coast of the English Channel.

**What is the historical administrative context of Basseneville?**

Basseneville falls under the Calvados department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune was part of the canton of Dozulé until March 2015, when French administrative divisions were reorganized. It is part of the arrondissement of Lisieux, which is an administrative division of France.

## Why It Matters

Basseneville represents the fundamental unit of local governance in France, embodying the decentralized administrative structure of the French Republic. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, it participates in the country's distinctive approach to local administration, where municipalities maintain significant autonomy within the unitary state framework. The commune system, dating to 1789, reflects France's commitment to local democracy and grassroots governance.

The presence of Basseneville in Calvados places it within Normandy, a region of significant historical importance in French and European history. The department of Calvados, named after the river and coastal area, is known for its agricultural production, particularly dairy farming and the famous Calvados apple brandy. The region's proximity to the English Channel has shaped its history, economy, and cultural identity.

As part of the arrondissement of Lisieux, Basseneville contributes to the administrative organization that facilitates regional planning, public service delivery, and local governance. The reorganization of cantons in 2015, which affected Basseneville's administrative affiliation, reflects France's ongoing adaptation of its administrative structures to contemporary governance needs while maintaining the historical commune system that has functioned since the Revolution.

## Notable For

- Part of the historic Normandy region (site of the D-Day landings during World War II)
- Located in Calvados, a department known for its production of Calvados apple brandy
- Part of the arrondissement of Lisieux, which includes numerous communes in the Calvados department
- Historical affiliation with the canton of Dozulé until 2015 administrative reforms

## Body

### Geography and Location

Basseneville is situated in the northwestern French department of Calvados, which lies along the English Channel coast in the Normandy region. The commune's coordinates place it at 49.2 degrees north latitude and -0.1294 degrees east longitude. This location positions Basseneville in the eastern part of the Calvados department, relatively close to the city of Lisieux, which serves as the administrative center of the arrondissement.

The Normandy region where Basseneville is located is characterized by a landscape of rolling hills, agricultural farmland, and coastal areas. Calvados specifically is known for its apple orchards, dairy farms, and the production of the eponymous apple brandy. The region's proximity to the English Channel has historically made it strategically important, as evidenced by the D-Day landings in World War II.

### Administrative Structure

Basseneville operates as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative territorial division in France. The French commune system, established in 1789 following the French Revolution, organizes municipalities into local governmental units with their own elected officials and administrative functions. France comprises approximately 34,970 communes, making this system one of the most decentralized in Europe.

Administratively, Basseneville belongs to the Calvados department (département), which was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French territory following the Revolution. The department is named after the Calvados river and the coastal area. Calvados is part of the Normandy region (Normandie) and is administered from the prefecture in Caen.

Within the departmental structure, Basseneville is part of the arrondissement of Lisieux. An arrondissement is an administrative division in France that typically groups several communes together for administrative purposes. The city of Lisieux, the largest urban center in the area, serves as the seat of the arrondissement.

Historically, Basseneville was part of the canton of Dozulé until March 2015. Cantons in France serve as electoral districts for elections to the general council (conseil général) of the department. The reorganization of cantons in 2015, which affected Basseneville's administrative affiliation, was part of a nationwide adjustment to electoral districts based on population changes.

### Historical Context

The commune of Basseneville exists within a historical framework that dates to the French Revolution. The revolutionary government abolished the previous administrative divisions of the Ancien Régime (provinces, parishes, etc.) and created a new system based on rational, uniform principles. The department of Calvados was established in 1790 as part of this reorganization.

The canton system was implemented as part of this new administrative structure, with Basseneville being assigned to the canton of Dozulé. This administrative arrangement persisted for over two centuries until the 2015 reorganization, which adjusted cantonal boundaries to reflect demographic shifts and improve administrative efficiency.

### Demographics and Population

Basseneville's population has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures of 259, 261, 257, 254, 195, 197, 223, 234, 263, 258, 257, 260, 252, 249, 251, 249, and 253 across various census years. These figures indicate a relatively small commune, typical of rural Normandy, where many small municipalities have experienced population decline followed by relative stabilization.

The population patterns reflect broader trends in rural France, where many small communes have faced depopulation due to urbanization and rural-to-urban migration. However, some small communes have experienced renewed interest as people seek quieter lifestyles away from major urban centers, which may explain the fluctuations in Basseneville's population figures.

### Relationship to Higher Administrative Units

Basseneville's administrative hierarchy follows the French system of territorial organization:

- At the base is the commune (Basseneville)
- Several communes form a canton (historically Dozulé, until 2015)
- Several cantons form an arrondissement (Lisieux)
- Several arrondissements form a department (Calvados)
- Several departments form a region (Normandy)
- The region is part of the French Republic (France)

This hierarchical structure allows for decentralized governance while maintaining national coherence. Each level has specific administrative functions, with communes handling local matters, departments managing broader regional affairs, and the national government handling national and international matters.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

As part of Normandy, Basseneville participates in the cultural identity of this historic French region. Normandy is renowned for its culinary traditions, including Camembert cheese, Calvados brandy, seafood from the Channel coast, and apple-based products. The region's agricultural character shapes both its economy and its cultural identity.

Normandy's history is particularly significant, with the region playing a crucial role in medieval England-France relations, the Hundred Years' War, and most notably, World War II. The D-Day landings on the Normandy beaches in June 1944 were a turning point in the war, and the region contains numerous memorials and cemeteries commemorating this history.

The French commune system represents a unique approach to local governance that balances local autonomy with national unity. Communes like Basseneville maintain their own local administrations while being part of larger departmental and regional structures. This system allows for local decision-making while ensuring equal access to public services across the country.

### Administrative Evolution

The 2015 reorganization of French cantons, which removed Basseneville from the canton of Dozulé, reflects the ongoing adaptation of French administrative structures. These changes are designed to improve electoral representation and administrative efficiency while maintaining the historical commune system that has been a cornerstone of French governance since the Revolution.

The evolution from the canton of Dozulé to the new cantonal structure represents the continuation of France's administrative adaptation process, which began in 1789 and continues to respond to changing societal needs and demographic patterns.

## 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. 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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)