# Boulon > commune in Calvados, France **Wikidata**: [Q1059461](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1059461) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulon) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/boulon ## Summary Boulon is a commune located in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of northwestern France, situated in the arrondissement of Caen. The commune sits at coordinates 49.047777777778°N latitude and -0.39305555555556°E longitude and falls within the historical jurisdiction of the canton of Bretteville-sur-Laize, which existed until March 2015. Boulon operates as a commune of France, the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipalities in the French administrative system, which was formally established in 1789. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Boulon is situated in Calvados, a French department created on March 4, 1790, located in the Normandy region of France - **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Caen, one of the administrative divisions within Calvados - **Historical Canton**: Previously belonged to the canton of Bretteville-sur-Laize until its reorganization in March 2015 - **Coordinates**: 49.047777777778°N, -0.39305555555556°E - **Country**: France, a semi-presidential republic and unitary state in Western Europe - **Commune Status**: Operates as a commune of France, the basic territorial subdivision for municipalities established in 1789 - **Department Inception**: Calvados department established March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution - **Population**: Historical population figures recorded at: 638, 653, 660, 681, 708, 406, 458, 589, 592, 554, 578, 609, 736, 778, 810, 816, and 844 residents across various census periods - **Website**: http://boulonmonvillage.wifeo.com - **Sitelink Count**: 45 (indicating moderate digital presence and Wikipedia coverage) - **Wikipedia Title**: Boulon - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Calvados, France ## FAQs **What region and department is Boulon located in?** Boulon is located in the Normandy region of northwestern France, specifically in the Calvados department. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Caen, which serves as an administrative division for local governance and territorial organization. **What type of administrative area is Boulon?** Boulon is classified as a commune of France, which represents the lowest level of territorial administration in the French system. Communes function as municipalities and serve as the fundamental building blocks of French local government, with the commune system dating back to 1789 during the French Revolution. **What was Boulon's administrative affiliation before 2015?** Prior to March 2015, Boulon was part of the canton of Bretteville-sur-Laize. Cantons in France serve as electoral districts for elections to the General Council (Conseil Général) and serve as administrative divisions for various governmental functions. **What are the geographical coordinates of Boulon?** Boulon is situated at approximately 49.047777777778 degrees north latitude and -0.39305555555556 degrees east longitude, placing it in the northwestern part of France within the Calvados department. **What is the population of Boulon?** Boulon has recorded varying population figures across different census periods, with numbers ranging from 406 to 844 residents. The population data shows fluctuations over time, with recorded figures including 638, 653, 660, 681, 708, 406, 458, 589, 592, 554, 578, 609, 736, 778, 810, 816, and 844 inhabitants. **What is Calvados department known for?** Calvados is a department in the Normandy region named after the Calvados coastline, which was the site of the Allied landings during the D-Day invasion of World War II. The department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution and encompasses the historic territory of Normandy. ## Why It Matters Boulon matters as a representative example of the French commune system, which forms the backbone of local governance in France. As one of the approximately 35,000 communes in France, Boulon embodies the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes the French Republic. The commune system, established in 1789, represents a fundamental aspect of French democratic organization, providing local citizens with direct administrative representation and municipal services. The commune's location in Calvados places it within Normandy, a region of significant historical importance in both French and world history. Normandy was the site of the 1066 Norman Conquest of England, the Allied D-Day landings during World War II, and continues to be a region of agricultural, economic, and tourist importance in contemporary France. Boulon's population fluctuations reflect broader demographic trends in rural French communes, where many smaller municipalities have experienced population decline followed by stabilization or modest growth as people seek quieter lifestyles away from larger urban centers. The commune's website indicates active community engagement and local initiative in maintaining village life and civic identity. The administrative reorganization that removed Boulon from the canton of Bretteville-sur-Laize in March 2015 reflects ongoing changes in French local government structure, as France continues to adapt its administrative divisions to modern governance needs while maintaining the historical framework established during the Revolution. ## Notable For - **Historical Canton Membership**: Part of the canton of Bretteville-sur-Laize until the major cantonal reorganization of March 2015 - **Norman Location**: Situated in Calvados, one of the original departments created during the French Revolution in 1790 - **Commune System**: Represents the fundamental French territorial subdivision system established in 1789 - **Active Web Presence**: Maintains a municipal website at boulonmonvillage.wifeo.com, indicating active local communication - **Caen Arrondissement**: Part of the arrondissement of Caen, an important administrative and historical center in Normandy ## Body ### Geography and Location Boulon is positioned at coordinates 49.047777777778°N latitude and -0.39305555555556°E longitude, placing it in the northwestern French department of Calvados within the Normandy region. The commune's geographical position situates it within the agricultural heartland of Normandy, characterized by rolling countryside and farmland typical of the region. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Caen, which serves as the administrative center for the surrounding area. Caen itself is a city of significant historical importance, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and serving as a major administrative, commercial, and educational center in Normandy. ### Administrative History Boulon operates as a commune of France, which represents the basic territorial subdivision for municipalities in the French administrative system. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. This makes the commune one of the oldest continuously operating systems of local government in the world. Prior to March 2015, Boulon was part of the canton of Bretteville-sur-Laize. Cantons in France serve as electoral districts for the departmental council (Conseil Départemental) and often serve as the basis for administrative services and judicial districts. The 2015 reorganization of French cantons was part of a broader effort to modernize local government structures and adapt to changing demographic patterns. Calvados department, in which Boulon is located, was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial wave of departmental creation following the French Revolution. The department takes its name from the Calvados coastline along the English Channel, which was the site of the Allied landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944, during World War II. ### Demographics and Population Boulon has recorded a series of population figures across various census periods: 638, 653, 660, 681, 708, 406, 458, 589, 592, 554, 578, 609, 736, 778, 810, 816, and 844 residents. These figures demonstrate population fluctuations that are typical of rural French communes, reflecting broader demographic shifts including urbanization trends, economic changes, and lifestyle preferences. The population trends show periods of growth and decline, with the commune experiencing what appears to be significant growth in more recent decades, reaching population figures in the 800s. This pattern is consistent with many rural communes in Normandy and throughout France, where smaller villages have experienced either stabilization or modest growth as remote work and quality-of-life considerations draw new residents away from larger cities. ### Local Governance and Services As a commune of France, Boulon is governed by a municipal council (conseil municipal) headed by a mayor (maire). The commune is responsible for local services including urban planning, civil registration, local taxation, and maintenance of public infrastructure such as roads, schools, and community facilities. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the Calvados departmental council and the Normandy regional council for matters requiring higher-level administration. Law enforcement is handled by the National Police (Police Nationale) and Gendarmerie, while judicial matters fall under the jurisdiction of the tribunal d'instance in Caen. ### Regional Context Boulon's location in the Calvados department places it within Normandy, a region of approximately 3.2 million inhabitants known for its agricultural production (particularly dairy and apples), historical sites, and coastal tourism. The region is famous for its cheese (Camembert, Livarot), cider, Calvados brandy, and culinary traditions. The arrondissement of Caen, to which Boulon belongs, encompasses the city of Caen and surrounding communities. Caen serves as the prefecture (administrative capital) of Calvados and is home to the University of Caen Normandy, making it a regional center for education, healthcare, and administration. ### Connection to French Administrative System Boulon exemplifies the hierarchical structure of French territorial organization: - **Commune** (Boulon): The lowest level of administrative division - **Arrondissement** (Caen): Intermediate administrative division - **Department** (Calvados): Created in 1790, primary administrative unit - **Region** (Normandy): Largest administrative division for regional planning - **Nation** (France): Sovereign state and EU member This structure reflects the French principle of unitary state organization, where local divisions operate under national authority while maintaining significant local autonomy in practical matters. ### Digital Presence Boulon maintains a municipal website at http://boulonmonvillage.wifeo.com, indicating active community engagement and communication with residents. The sitelink count of 45 reflects moderate visibility in digital information networks, particularly through Wikipedia and related platforms. ### Historical Significance While Boulon itself may be a smaller commune, its location in Normandy places it within one of the most historically significant regions of France. Normandy was the site of William the Conqueror's conquest of England in 1066, the Hundred Years' War battles, and the D-Day landings that marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe in World War II. The commune's existence as part of the French administrative system since 1789 places it within the framework of modern French nation-building, which transformed France from a kingdom into a republic with standardized administrative divisions replacing the complex feudal territories that preceded them. ## 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)