# Bons-Tassilly > commune in Calvados, France **Wikidata**: [Q858699](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q858699) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bons-Tassilly) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bons-tassilly ## Summary Bons-Tassilly is a commune located in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of northwestern France. It sits at coordinates 48.959166666667°N latitude and -0.23111111111111°E longitude, and was historically part of the canton of Falaise-Nord until March 2015. The commune falls under the arrondissement of Caen and is one of the thousands of communes that form the basic territorial units of France. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Bons-Tassilly - **Type of Entity**: Commune of France - **Country**: France - **Administrative Department**: Calvados (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Caen - **Former Canton**: Falaise-Nord (until March 2015) - **Region**: Normandy (Normandie) - **Coordinates**: 48.959166666667°N, -0.23111111111111°E - **Commune of France Inception**: 1789 - **Alias**: Bons - **Wikipedia Title**: Bons-Tassilly - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Calvados, France - **Sitelink Count**: 46 ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Bons-Tassilly?** Bons-Tassilly is a commune, which is the lowest-level administrative territorial division in France. Communes are similar to municipalities and serve as the basic building blocks of French territorial organization, each with its own local government. **Which department and region is Bons-Tassilly located in?** Bons-Tassilly is located in the Calvados department, which is situated in the Normandy region of northwestern France. The department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. **What was the administrative history of Bons-Tassilly's canton?** Bons-Tassilly was part of the canton of Falaise-Nord until March 2015. Following French administrative reforms, the canton system was reorganized, and the commune's administrative grouping changed. **What are the geographical coordinates of Bons-Tassilly?** Bons-Tassilly is located at latitude 48.959166666667°N and longitude -0.23111111111111°E, placing it in the western part of the Calvados department near the town of Falaise. **What is the relationship between Bons-Tassilly and the arrondissement of Caen?** Bons-Tassilly belongs to the arrondissement of Caen, which is an administrative division larger than a commune but smaller than a department. The arrondissement serves as a intermediate level of government administration in France. ## Why It Matters Bons-Tassilly represents the foundational unit of French local government and exemplifies the administrative structure that has governed France since the Revolution. As one of the approximately 35,000 communes in France, it embodies the French principle of decentralized administration where local matters are managed at the municipal level. The commune system allows for direct local governance while remaining integrated into the broader departmental and regional administrative framework. The commune's location in Calvados places it in a department with significant historical importance, particularly related to the Norman Conquest of England and the D-Day landings of World War II. Calvados is also known for its agricultural production, including the famous Calvados apple brandy, and its coastal tourism. The administrative changes affecting Bons-Tassilly, such as the reorganization of cantons in 2015, reflect ongoing efforts by the French government to optimize local administration and adapt to changing demographic and political circumstances. Understanding communes like Bons-Tassilly provides insight into how France balances local autonomy with national cohesion. ## Notable For - Part of the historic Normandy region with connections to medieval and World War II history - Located in Calvados, a department known for its apple orchards and production of Calvados brandy - Near the town of Falaise, birthplace of William the Conqueror - Representative of the French commune system that dates back to 1789 - Coordinates place it in the strategic western part of Normandy ## Body ### Geography and Location Bons-Tassilly is situated in the Calvados department of the Normandy region in northwestern France. The commune's precise geographical coordinates are 48.959166666667°N latitude and -0.23111111111111°E longitude. This location places it in the western portion of the department, relatively close to the town of Falaise, which serves as a local administrative and historical center. The Normandy region where Bons-Tassilly is located is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes coastal areas along the English Channel, agricultural plains, and forested regions. Calvados specifically is known for its rolling hills, apple orchards, and farmland, as well as its significant historical sites related to both medieval history and the Second World War. ### Administrative Structure Bons-Tassilly operates as a commune, which is the French term for the smallest territorial collective of France. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution and serves as the equivalent of a municipality or township in other countries. Each commune has its own local government, though the extent of powers varies based on population and resources. In the French administrative hierarchy, communes are grouped into arrondissements, which are themselves contained within departments. Bons-Tassilly belongs to the arrondissement of Caen, one of the administrative divisions within Calvados. The department of Calvados was officially created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. Prior to March 2015, Bons-Tassilly was part of the canton of Falaise-Nord. Cantons in France serve as electoral districts for various local elections and also represent territorial divisions for certain administrative purposes. The 2015 cantonal reforms reorganized many of these electoral districts across France, leading to changes in which cantons certain communes belonged to. ### Historical Context The commune of Bons-Tassilly, like all French communes, traces its institutional origins to the French Revolution. The year 1789 marked the beginning of the commune system when the old administrative divisions of the Kingdom of France were reorganized into a more uniform structure. This revolutionary transformation aimed to create equal administrative units across the nation, replacing the previous system of varying local jurisdictions that had existed under the monarchy. The Calvados department itself has a rich history that predates its 1790 creation. The area was historically part of the Duchy of Normandy, which played a crucial role in medieval European history. The department is named after the River Calvados, which flows through the region, and the name itself derives from "calva dorsum" (bare back), referring to a rocky ridge in the area. ### Population and Demographics While specific population figures for Bons-Tassilly are listed in the source material with multiple values ranging from 332 to 406, these likely represent different census years or estimates. The population data shows: 386.0, 393.0, 404.0, 404.0, 402.0, 394.0, 345.0, 354.0, 332.0, 387.0, 393.0, 382.0, 406.0, 401.0, 397.0, 392.0, 392.0. These figures indicate a relatively small commune, typical of rural French municipalities outside major urban areas. ### Relationship to Connected Entities Bons-Tassilly is connected to several higher-level administrative entities that illustrate its place in the French territorial system: **France**: As the sovereign nation, France provides the overarching legal and administrative framework within which Bons-Tassilly operates. The country operates as a semi-presidential republic with a unitary structure, though it has decentralized certain powers to regional and local levels. **Calvados Department**: The department is the primary administrative division above the commune level. Calvados was created in 1790 and is one of the original departments formed during the French Revolution. The department is part of the Normandy region and contains numerous communes similar to Bons-Tassilly. **Arrondissement of Caen**: This administrative division serves as an intermediate level between the department and communes. The arrondissement of Caen covers a significant portion of the department and includes the city of Caen as its administrative center. **Canton of Falaise-Nord (until 2015)**: Prior to the 2015 administrative reforms, the canton served as an electoral district for the departmental council elections. Falaise itself is a historically significant town in the area, known as the birthplace of William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy who became King of England in 1066. ### Cultural and Regional Significance While Bons-Tassilly is a small commune, it participates in the broader cultural and economic life of the Calvados department and Normandy region. The area is renowned for several cultural and economic elements: **Calvados Brandy**: The department is famous for producing Calvados, an apple brandy made from apples grown in the region's orchards. This beverage has been produced in Normandy for centuries and represents an important part of the local economy and culinary tradition. **Historical Heritage**: The Normandy region contains numerous historical sites related to the Norman Conquest of England, the Hundred Years' War, and most notably, the D-Day landings of World War II. While Bons-Tassilly itself may not contain major historical sites, it participates in this rich historical landscape. **Agricultural Character**: The region is primarily agricultural, with farming playing a significant role in the local economy. The fertile soils of Normandy support the production of apples, grains, and livestock, particularly dairy cattle that produce the milk used for Normandy's famous cheeses. ### Administrative Properties The commune has been assigned various identifiers and properties in wikidata and Wikipedia: - **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Calvados, France" - **Wikipedia Title**: Bons-Tassilly - **Alias**: Bons - **Sitelink Count**: 46 (indicating moderate cross-referencing with other Wikipedia articles) These properties help identify and categorize the commune within larger databases and knowledge systems, facilitating research and reference to the entity across different platforms and languages. ### Conclusion Bons-Tassilly exemplifies the structure of French local government as a small commune within the Calvados department of Normandy. Its history, location, and administrative connections provide insight into how France organizes its territorial administration at the most local level. While not a major population center, the commune contributes to the fabric of French administrative organization and participates in the cultural and economic life of the Normandy region. ## 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. Czech National Authority Database 8. Annuaire de service-public.fr 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c) 25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)