# Cricquebœuf > commune in Calvados, France **Wikidata**: [Q865043](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q865043) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricquebœuf) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cricqueb-uf ## Summary Cricquebœuf is a commune located in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of northwestern France, situated on the coast of the English Channel. The small coastal municipality lies approximately 7 kilometers northeast of Honfleur and forms part of the arrondissement of Lisieux. With a population of approximately 246 to 267 residents across recent census years, Cricquebœuf represents a typical rural commune in the Côte Fleurie area of Normandy, known for its maritime heritage and proximity to major tourist destinations in the region. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Cricquebœuf - **Country**: France - **Region**: Normandy (Normandie) - **Department**: Calvados (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Lisieux - **Canton**: Honfleur (until March 2015) - **Coordinates**: 49.402222°N latitude, 0.145556°E longitude - **Website**: https://www.cricqueboeuf.fr - **Wikipedia Title**: Cricquebœuf - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Calvados, France - **Sitelink Count**: 43 - **Commune Status**: Established circa 1789 (commune of France inception: 1789) - **Classification**: Commune in Calvados department, France ## FAQs **What region and department is Cricquebœuf located in?** Cricquebœuf is located in the Normandy region (Normandie) of northwestern France, specifically in the Calvados department. The commune sits on the coast of the English Channel in the Côte Fleurie area, which is known for its seaside resorts and picturesque coastal landscapes. **What administrative divisions does Cricquebœuf belong to?** Cricquebœuf is part of the arrondissement of Lisieux and was historically part of the canton of Honfleur until March 2015. As a French commune, it is a territorial subdivision of France, a country that operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. **What is the population of Cricquebœuf?** Cricquebœuf has a modest population that has fluctuated between approximately 130 and 314 residents across recent census periods. The most recent population figures show approximately 246 to 267 inhabitants, reflecting the typical demographic pattern of small rural communes in Normandy. **What are the geographical coordinates of Cricquebœuf?** Cricquebœuf is located at coordinates 49.402222°N latitude and 0.145556°E longitude, placing it on the northern French coast along the English Channel in the Calvados department. **What is the historical context of Cricquebœuf as a French commune?** Cricquebœuf became a commune of France following the French Revolution, with the commune territorial subdivision system being established in 1789. The Calvados department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French administrative divisions. ## Why It Matters Cricquebœuf matters as part of the rich tapestry of French rural communes that constitute the foundation of France's administrative structure. While small in population, the commune represents the historical pattern of settlement along the Normandy coast, an area of significant strategic and cultural importance in French history. The Côte Fleurie region where Cricquebœuf is located has been a destination for artists, writers, and tourists since the 19th century, contributing to the cultural heritage of Normandy. As part of the Calvados department, Cricquebœuf is connected to the broader historical narrative of Normandy, including its medieval heritage, its role in the Hundred Years' War, and its pivotal importance during the Allied landings in World War II. The department name itself derives from the maritime commodity that has long been associated with the region—Calvados, a distilled apple brandy that is a specialty of Normandy. The commune's membership in the arrondissement of Lisieux places it within an administrative framework that coordinates local governance, public services, and regional planning across multiple municipalities. This decentralized administrative structure reflects France's commitment to balancing national unity with local autonomy, a principle embedded in the country's constitutional framework established on October 4, 1958. ## Notable For - **Coastal Location**: Situated on the Côte Fleurie (Flowery Coast) of Normandy along the English Channel - **Historical Administrative Ties**: Formerly part of the canton of Honfleur until the 2015 cantonal reorganization in France - **Norman Department**: Located in Calvados, one of the original French departments created during the Revolution of 1789 - **Part of Normandy**: Situated in the historical region of Normandy, known for its medieval architecture, agricultural products (including Camembert cheese and Calvados brandy), and significant role in European history ## Body ### Geography and Location Cricquebœuf is a coastal commune situated in the Calvados department of the Normandy region in northwestern France. The commune lies at coordinates 49.402222°N latitude and 0.145556°E longitude, placing it along the English Channel coast known as the Côte Fleurie. This stretch of Normandy coastline is characterized by dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and picturesque seaside villages that have attracted visitors since the 19th century. The commune is located approximately 7 kilometers northeast of Honfleur, a historic port town that has long served as a gateway between Normandy and England. The proximity to Honfleur has historically influenced the economic and cultural development of Cricquebœuf and surrounding communes in the area. The terrain along this section of the Normandy coast features the characteristic white cliffs that have made the region visually distinctive and geologically significant. ### Administrative Structure Cricquebœuf operates as a commune (commune de France), which is the lowest-level territorial administrative division in France. The French commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. As of its inception in 1789, the commune has served as the fundamental unit of local governance in France, responsible for municipal services, local planning, and community organization. The commune is part of the Calvados department, which was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the revolutionary government's rationalization of French administrative divisions. Calvados takes its name from the famous apple brandy produced in the region, reflecting the agricultural character of the area. The department is one of five departments in the Normandy region and encompasses a diverse landscape ranging from the coastal Côte Fleurie to the bocage (hedgerow countryside) inland. Within the departmental structure, Cricquebœuf belongs to the arrondissement of Lisieux. The arrondissement serves as an intermediate administrative level between the department and the communes, coordinating sub-prefectural functions and territorial administration. Historically, Cricquebœuf was part of the canton of Honfleur until the French cantonal boundaries were reorganized in March 2015. The canton of Honfleur historically encompassed the communes surrounding the port town, reflecting the economic and social connections between these municipalities. ### Demographic Profile Cricquebœuf exemplifies the demographic characteristics of small rural communes in Normandy. The population figures from recent census years show fluctuations between approximately 130 and 314 residents, with the most recent counts hovering around 246 to 267 inhabitants. This population size is typical for the rural communes that dot the Normandy countryside, where agricultural activity and coastal tourism support small but stable communities. The demographic patterns of Cricquebœuf reflect broader trends in French rural areas, including the challenges of maintaining population in the face of urbanization and the attraction of larger towns and cities for employment and educational opportunities. However, the commune's coastal location and proximity to tourist destinations like Honfleur and Deauville provide economic opportunities that help sustain the local population. ### Regional Context: Normandy and France Cricquebœuf exists within the broader context of Normandy, a historical region of northwestern France that has played a pivotal role in French and European history. Normandy takes its name from the "Northmen" (Norsemen) who settled there in the 10th century following the Viking raids that devastated the region. The Norman dukes established a powerful semi-independent state that later conquered England in 1066 under William the Conqueror, fundamentally shaping English history and the English language. The Calvados department where Cricquebœuf is located encompasses much of the historical territory of Normandy, including the D-Day landing beaches that were the site of the Allied invasion on June 6, 1944. The department's name has become internationally recognized through Calvados brandy, an apple distillate that has been produced in the region for centuries and received protected designation of origin status. As part of France, Cricquebœuf is embedded in a national framework governed as a unitary semi-presidential republic. France operates through a system of decentralized administration, with communes serving as the foundational local government units. The French Republic, established through various constitutional iterations including the current Fifth Republic (founded October 4, 1958), maintains a commitment to the principles of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) that emerged from the Revolution of 1789—the same revolutionary period that created the commune system to which Cricquebœuf belongs. ### Economic and Cultural Character The economy of Cricquebœuf and the surrounding Côte Fleurie area has historically been based on agriculture, fishing, and maritime trade. The Normandy coast has supported fishing communities for centuries, while the fertile agricultural lands inland have produced the apples used in Calvados production, the milk for Camembert and other cheeses, and the grain and livestock that characterize Norman agriculture. In more recent centuries, the Côte Fleurie has developed a tourist economy based on its natural beauty, historic towns, and seaside resorts. Towns like Deauville and Honfleur have become destinations for French and international visitors, drawn by the region's distinctive character, architectural heritage, and coastal landscapes. Cricquebœuf participates in this regional tourist economy, offering visitors a glimpse of traditional Norman coastal life. The cultural heritage of Normandy extends beyond tourism to include significant contributions to art, literature, and gastronomy. The region has inspired countless artists, including Claude Monet, who painted the cliffs at Étretat and the water lilies at Giverny. The architectural heritage includes Romanesque churches, medieval half-timbered houses, and the distinctive manoirs (manor houses) that dot the countryside. Normandy's gastronomic traditions—featuring seafood, dairy products, apple-based beverages, and distinctive cheeses—have earned the region international recognition and contribute to France's reputation as a culinary destination. ### Administrative Connections Cricquebœuf maintains connections to several key administrative entities that structure French local government. The commune system in France operates under the framework established by the commune of France, which represents the category of territorial subdivisions used for municipal governance throughout the country. With a sitelink count of 43, Cricquebœuf has a modest but established presence in online knowledge bases, reflecting its status as a recognized administrative unit within the French system. The commune's website (https://www.cricqueboeuf.fr) provides information about local services, municipal governance, and community events, serving as a digital interface between the local government and residents. This online presence reflects the modernized approach to local administration that characterizes French communes in the 21st century, even as these municipalities maintain their historical roles as the most local level of government. The connection to the canton of Honfleur, maintained until March 2015, represents an important administrative relationship that shaped local governance and representation. Cantons in France serve as electoral districts for elections to the General Council (departmental council) and provide a framework for coordinating services across multiple communes. The 2015 reorganization of cantonal boundaries in France was designed to better reflect contemporary population distributions and administrative needs. ### Historical Significance While Cricquebœuf may be small, it exists within a region of profound historical significance. Normandy was the site of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, one of the most consequential events in medieval European history. The dukes of Normandy became kings of England, and the Norman presence in England transformed English culture, language, governance, and architecture. The Bayeux Tapestry, created in Normandy, depicts the events leading to the conquest and stands as one of the most important historical documents from the medieval period. The department of Calvados was created during the French Revolution, reflecting the revolutionary government's commitment to rational, uniform administration. The department was named after the Calvados brandy produced in the region, an unusual choice that reflected the economic importance of apple distillation to the local economy. This naming convention has made Calvados one of the most internationally recognized French department names, associated with a distinctive regional product. During World War II, the Normandy coast was the site of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, when Allied forces invaded Nazi-occupied France in the largest amphibious military operation in history. While Cricquebœuf itself was not a landing beach, the entire Normandy coast was profoundly affected by the war and subsequent liberation. The region retains numerous memorials, museums, and cemeteries commemorating this pivotal moment in 20th-century history. ### Contemporary Context Today, Cricquebœuf operates as part of the contemporary French administrative system while maintaining connections to its historical roots. The commune participates in the departmental and regional governance structures that coordinate services, economic development, and planning across Normandy. As France continues to balance national coordination with local autonomy, communes like Cricquebœuf serve as the foundational level where citizens engage with government and where local needs are addressed. The commune's coastal location places it within a region that continues to attract visitors drawn to Normandy's natural beauty, historical sites, and gastronomic traditions. The local economy benefits from tourism while maintaining connections to the agricultural and maritime activities that have traditionally supported the community. As part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, France provides a framework of economic and political integration that connects Cricquebœuf to the broader European community while maintaining its distinctive national and regional character. ## References 1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 2. INSEE code 3. [Source](https://archives.calvados.fr/classificationScheme/11d99609-7d05-4864-9e3e-7f744d9c2753) 4. répertoire géographique des communes 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Annuaire de service-public.fr 7. MusicBrainz 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. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0 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)