# Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy

> commune in Calvados, France

**Wikidata**: [Q863054](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q863054)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sainte-honorine-de-ducy

## Summary
Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy is a commune located in the Calvados department of France, within the canton of Caumont-l'Éventé and the arrondissement of Bayeux. It is a small rural municipality with a population fluctuating around 130 residents, situated in the Normandy region of northwestern France.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune (municipality) of France
- **Location**: Calvados department, Normandy, France
- **Coordinates**: 49.146388888889° N, -0.7775° W
- **Population**: Varies between 113 and 158 residents (historical data points: 131, 130, 127, 130, 158, 128, 117, 113, 116, 132, 132, 128, 133, 136)
- **Administrative Division**:
  - **Canton**: Caumont-l'Éventé
  - **Arrondissement**: Bayeux
  - **Department**: Calvados (established March 4, 1790)
- **Aliases**: Also known as Sainte-Honorine
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 42 references across languages
- **Wikipedia Title**: Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy
- **Inception of French Communes**: 1789 (post-French Revolution municipal reorganization)

## FAQs

**Where is Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy located?**
Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy is situated in the Calvados department of Normandy, France, at coordinates 49.146388888889° N, -0.7775° W. It lies within the canton of Caumont-l'Éventé and the arrondissement of Bayeux.

**What is the population of Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy?**
The commune has a small, fluctuating population, with recorded figures ranging from 113 to 158 residents across different years. Recent data points include 136 residents in multiple years.

**What administrative divisions does Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy belong to?**
It is part of the canton of Caumont-l'Éventé, the arrondissement of Bayeux, and the department of Calvados, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**How does Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy fit into France’s municipal system?**
Like all French communes, Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy is a basic administrative division created in 1789. It operates as a local government unit with its own mayor and municipal council, responsible for local services and governance.

## Why It Matters
Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy exemplifies the rural fabric of Normandy and the broader French countryside. As a small commune, it plays a role in preserving local traditions, agricultural heritage, and community life in a region known for its historic significance, particularly in World War II (e.g., nearby Bayeux and the D-Day landings). Communes like Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy are essential to France’s decentralized governance, ensuring local representation and services for residents outside major urban centers. Its existence also reflects the enduring structure of French municipal organization since the Revolution, maintaining stability and identity for rural populations.

## Notable For
- **Small-Scale Rural Governance**: Represents the smallest unit of French local administration, showcasing how communes function in low-population areas.
- **Normandy’s Agricultural Landscape**: Located in Calvados, a department renowned for its apple orchards, cider, and dairy production (e.g., Camembert cheese).
- **Historical Continuity**: Part of a municipal system established in 1789, illustrating France’s long-standing commitment to local self-governance.
- **Proximity to Key Sites**: Situated near Bayeux, home to the Bayeux Tapestry and a major hub during the Liberation of France in 1944.
- **Demographic Stability**: Despite fluctuations, maintains a consistent population size typical of rural French communes.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy is located in the Calvados department of the Normandy region in northwestern France. Its coordinates are 49.146388888889° N latitude and -0.7775° W longitude, placing it in a rural area characterized by the rolling hills and farmland typical of the Bocage Normande landscape. The commune is part of the canton of Caumont-l'Éventé and the arrondissement of Bayeux, two administrative divisions that organize local governance and services.

### Administrative Structure
As a commune, Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy is the smallest administrative unit in France, a system established during the French Revolution in 1789 to replace the pre-revolutionary parishes and local lordships. It falls under the jurisdiction of:
- **Department**: Calvados (created March 4, 1790), one of France’s original 83 departments.
- **Arrondissement**: Bayeux, which oversees multiple cantons and communes.
- **Canton**: Caumont-l'Éventé, a grouping of communes for electoral and administrative purposes.

The commune is governed by a municipal council (*conseil municipal*) led by a mayor (*maire*), elected by local residents. This structure ensures direct representation for the community’s needs, from infrastructure to cultural events.

### Demographics
The population of Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy has remained small and relatively stable, with recorded figures including:
- 131, 130, 127, 130, 158, 128, 117, 113, 116, 132, 132, 128, 133, 136 (multiple years).
The highest recorded population in the data is 158, while the lowest is 113. Such fluctuations are common in rural communes due to factors like aging populations, migration to urban areas, and limited economic opportunities.

### Historical Context
The commune system, including Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy, was formalized in 1789 as part of the revolutionary reforms to decentralize power and create uniform local governance. Calvados, its parent department, was named after a rocky outcrop off its coast and has played a significant role in French history, particularly during the Norman Conquest of England (1066) and the Battle of Normandy (1944).

### Economic and Cultural Role
While Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy itself is not a major economic hub, its location in Calvados ties it to the region’s key industries:
- **Agriculture**: Apple orchards for cider and Calvados brandy, dairy farming for Camembert and other cheeses.
- **Tourism**: Proximity to Bayeux (home of the Bayeux Tapestry) and the D-Day landing beaches attracts visitors to Normandy.
- **Local Crafts**: Traditional Norman architecture, markets, and festivals preserve cultural heritage.

### Related Administrative Entities
- **Caumont-l'Éventé (Canton)**: A territorial subdivision grouping multiple communes, including Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy, for electoral and administrative efficiency.
- **Arrondissement of Bayeux**: A larger district overseeing several cantons, headed by a sub-prefect who implements national policies locally.
- **Calvados Department**: Manages regional policies, education, transportation, and economic development for its 500+ communes.

### Infrastructure and Services
As a small commune, Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy likely relies on nearby towns for essential services such as healthcare, education, and commerce. Key infrastructure includes:
- **Roads**: Connected to the regional network linking rural areas to Bayeux and Caen.
- **Public Services**: Shared resources with neighboring communes for waste management, postal services, and emergency response.
- **Community Facilities**: May include a town hall (*mairie*), church, or multipurpose hall for local gatherings.

### Connection to Broader French Systems
Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy is part of France’s highly centralized yet locally administered governance model. Its existence reflects:
- **Decentralization**: Communes handle local matters while higher tiers (departments, regions) manage broader policies.
- **Historical Resilience**: The persistence of small rural communes despite urbanization and globalization.
- **Cultural Identity**: Norman traditions, language (Norman French dialects), and cuisine remain influential in daily life.

### Challenges and Opportunities
Like many rural French communes, Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy faces challenges such as:
- **Depopulation**: Younger residents often move to cities for education and jobs.
- **Aging Population**: Higher median age requires adapted social services.
- **Economic Sustainability**: Dependence on agriculture and tourism necessitates innovation and support.

However, its small size also offers opportunities:
- **Community Cohesion**: Strong local bonds and traditions foster resilience.
- **Heritage Preservation**: Rural communes are vital to maintaining France’s cultural diversity.
- **Quality of Life**: Lower cost of living and natural surroundings attract retirees and remote workers.

## 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. Populations légales 2016
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
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)