# La Folie

> commune in Calvados, France

**Wikidata**: [Q742808](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742808)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Folie)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-folie-q742808-2

## Summary

La Folie is a commune located in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of northwestern France. It is situated in the arrondissement of Bayeux and is part of the canton of Isigny-sur-Mer. As a French commune, La Folie operates as a territorial subdivision within the French Republic, which was established as a unified state following the Treaty of Verdun in 843 and organized into communes since 1789.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: Commune in Calvados, France
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 49.258888888889, Longitude -0.97805555555556
- **Administrative Region**: Normandy (Normandie)
- **Department**: Calvados (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Bayeux
- **Canton**: Isigny-sur-Mer
- **Country**: France
- **Commune Status**: Territorial subdivision of France (inception: 1789)
- **Population**: Historical figures include 126, 109, 103, 99, 97, 178, 153, 124, 102, 114, 114, 123, 96, 99, 103, 107, and 108 (specific years not provided)
- **Wikipedia Title**: La Folie
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Calvados, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 42

## FAQs

**What region is La Folie located in?**

La Folie is located in the Normandy region (Normandie) of northwestern France, specifically in the Calvados department.

**What administrative divisions does La Folie belong to?**

La Folie is part of the arrondissement of Bayeux and the canton of Isigny-sur-Mer. It is a commune within the Calvados department, which has existed since March 4, 1790.

**What country is La Folie in?**

La Folie is located in France, a country in Western Europe that operates as a semi-presidential republic. France is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

**What are the exact coordinates of La Folie?**

La Folie's geographic coordinates are latitude 49.258888888889 and longitude -0.97805555555556.

**What type of administrative entity is La Folie?**

La Folie is a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. The commune system in France was established in 1789.

## Why It Matters

La Folie, while a small commune, represents the foundational unit of French territorial organization. As one of the thousands of communes in France, it embodies the decentralized administrative structure of the French Republic. The commune system, established during the French Revolution in 1789, represents a commitment to local governance and municipal autonomy that has been a cornerstone of French political organization for over two centuries.

The commune's location in Normandy places it in a region of significant historical importance, particularly regarding the D-Day landings of World War II. Calvados is home to the famous Omaha Beach (Omaha Beach) and other sites of immense historical significance. As part of this department, La Foli contributes to the cultural and administrative fabric of a region that attracts substantial historical interest and tourism.

From an administrative perspective, La Folie's inclusion in the canton of Isigny-sur-Mer and the arrondissement of Bayeux demonstrates the hierarchical organization of French local government. This structure allows for efficient local administration, coordination of public services, and representation of citizen interests at multiple levels of government.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Organization**: Part of the structured French commune system dating to 1789
- **Historical Region Location**: Situated in Normandy, a region of major World War II historical significance
- **Departmental Heritage**: Part of Calvados department, established during the French Revolution in 1790
- **Local Governance**: Operates within the canton of Isigny-sur-Mer and arrondissement of Bayeux systems

## Body

### Geography and Location

La Folie is situated in the northwestern French department of Calvados, which is part of the Normandy region. The commune's precise geographic coordinates are 49.258888888889° latitude and -0.97805555555556° longitude. This placement locations La Folie in the heart of the historic Normandy region, known for its agricultural lands, coastal areas, and significant role in both French and European history.

The commune falls within the arrondissement of Bayeux, one of the administrative divisions responsible for coordinating local government functions and public services. Additionally, La Folie is part of the canton of Isigny-sur-Mer, which serves as an electoral district for various local and regional elections.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, La Folie operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in France. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. Today, France is divided into approximately 35,000 communes, each serving as the fundamental unit of local government.

La Foli is part of the Calvados department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. Calvados is one of the original 83 departments created to replace the old provinces of France with a more rational, uniform administrative structure. The department is named after the Course aux Ânes, a stream, though it is also famously associated with the Calvados apple brandy produced in the region.

### Regional Context

The Normandy region (Normandie) in which La Folie is located comprises five departments: Calvados, Manche, Orne, Seine-Maritime, and Eure. Normandy is bordered by the English Channel to the north and northwest, making it strategically important throughout European history. The region has been the site of numerous historical events, most notably the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, when Allied forces invaded Nazi-occupied France.

The arrondissement of Bayeux, to which La Folie belongs, is one of the administrative divisions within Calvados. Bayeux itself is a historic city famous for its medieval tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux), which depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The city was the first to be liberated by Allied forces during the D-Day landings.

### Population and Demographics

While specific population figures for La Folie are limited in the source material, historical population data points include values of 126, 109, 103, 99, 97, 178, 153, 124, 102, 114, 114, 123, 96, 99, 103, 107, and 108. These figures suggest a small rural commune, which is consistent with the agricultural character of much of the Calvados department.

Small communes like La Folie are typical of rural France, where many municipalities have populations under 500 residents. These communes often maintain traditional agricultural activities, particularly grain farming and livestock raising, which are prominent in the Normandy region.

### Relationship to French Administrative Hierarchy

La Folie's administrative position illustrates the multi-layered structure of French local government:

1. **Commune Level**: La Folie (lowest administrative unit)
2. **Canton Level**: Isigny-sur-Mer (electoral district)
3. **Arrondissement Level**: Bayeux (administrative division)
4. **Department Level**: Calvados (provincial-level division)
5. **Regional Level**: Normandy (regional council level)
6. **National Level**: French Republic

This hierarchical structure allows for efficient governance and administration while maintaining local representation and autonomy. Each level has specific responsibilities, from local municipal services to regional planning and development.

### Historical Context

The Calvados department, established in 1790, was named after a local hydronym but has become internationally recognized, partly due to the Calvados apple brandy produced in the region. The department's history is deeply intertwined with the broader history of Normandy, which was a powerful medieval duchy and played crucial roles in both English and French history.

The region saw significant conflict during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) and again during World War II, when the D-Day beaches—including Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach—were located in or near Calvados. The Bayeux Memorial, located in Bayeux, commemorates the Allied soldiers who died during the invasion.

### Connection to Broader French Institutions

As part of France, La Folie is connected to the broader institutional framework of the French Republic. France operates as a semi-presidential republic with a unitary state structure, though it has decentralized administrative regions. The French system combines presidential and parliamentary elements, with the President serving as head of state and the Prime Minister as head of government.

France is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with veto power. The country uses the Euro as its currency in metropolitan France and maintains significant cultural, political, and economic influence globally. French communes like La Folie contribute to this larger framework by forming the foundational administrative units of the nation.

## 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)