Clécy (French pronunciation: [klesi] ) is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.

Clécy
A general view of Clécy
A general view of Clécy
Location of Clécy
Map
Clécy is located in France
Clécy
Clécy
Clécy is located in Normandy
Clécy
Clécy
Coordinates: 48°55′01″N 0°28′54″W / 48.9169°N 0.4817°W / 48.9169; -0.4817
CountryFrance
RegionNormandy
DepartmentCalvados
ArrondissementCaen
CantonLe Hom
IntercommunalityCingal-Suisse Normande
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Raymond Carville[1]
Area
1
24.63 km2 (9.51 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
1,316
 • Density53/km2 (140/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
14162 /14570
Elevation31–261 m (102–856 ft)
(avg. 80 m or 260 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

In 1932 it was awarded the title The Capital of Suisse Normand by the Tourism Minister Monsieur Gourdeau.[3]

Geography

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Clécy and its surroundings

Clécy is on the River Orne, in the middle of Norman Switzerland, about 35 kilometres (22 mi)s south of Caen. Covering 2,463 hectares (6,090 acres) it is the second largest commune in the canton of Le Hom.[4]

The Commune consists of the following of villages and hamlets, Roche Taillis, Les Thomas, Le Clos d'Ailly, La Haute Bigne, La Faverie, Les Berthaumes, La Loterie, La Fresnée and Clécy[5]

Called the "Capital of Norman Switzerland", the village of Clécy owes its fame to the rugged and verdant Armorican massif, with valleys through which the Orne flows.[6][7] In addition to the Orne, two streams, The Val Fournet and La Porte also flow through the commune.[8][9]

The Commune with another 20 communes shares part of a 2,115 hectare, Natura 2000 conservation area, called the Vallée de l'Orne et ses affluents.[10]

Plenty of outdoor activities are available: kayaking, paragliding, climbing, hill walking and mountain biking, taking advantage of the geology of Norman Switzerland.

History

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The name "Clécy" is mentioned in 860 in the reign of Charles the Bald.

When French cantons were created, Clécy was the capital of the canton. This ceased to be the case after restructuring in 1801.

Clécy has a wealth of historical treasures: Châteaux and manor houses are spread all over Clécy and its surroundings. The Château de la Landelle is one of the oldest.

More recently, painters such as Paul-Émile Pissarro, Moteley and Andre Hardy have painted landscapes around Clécy.

Administration

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Town hall of Clécy
Election Mayor Party Occupation
1989 Claude Hergault SE
2008 Michel Bar SE Farmer

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 1,238—    
1975 1,187−0.60%
1982 1,197+0.12%
1990 1,182−0.16%
1999 1,252+0.64%
2009 1,238−0.11%
2014 1,251+0.21%
2020 1,305+0.71%
Source: INSEE[11]

Its inhabitants are called Clécyens in French.

Economy

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  • Fromagerie Vallée (Valley Cheesemaker)

Sights

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Clécy town centre
  • The Château de La Landelle is one of the oldest monuments in the village.[12] At its base it is in the form of a cross, originally on one floor, but was changed to two floors when the wings were reworked. In the Second World War it was occupied by the Germans.
  • Musée André Hardy (André Hardy Museum) [13]
  • Musée du chemin de fer miniature (Museum of miniature trains)[14]
  • Eglise St Pierre (St Paul's church) (15th century)[15]
  • Clécy Viaduct (1866)

Personalities

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Twin towns – sister cities

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Clécy is twinned with:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Rai, Commune de. "Les Rai-Baladeurs à Clécy". Commune de Rai.
  4. ^ PETIT, Marie (16 June 2021). "Élections départementales. Dans le canton du Hom, deux ex-colistiers s'affrontent". Ouest-France.fr.
  5. ^ a b "Clécy · 14570, France". Clécy · 14570, France.
  6. ^ "Suisse Normande Tourist Office – Clécy Office - CLECY". Normandy Tourism, France.
  7. ^ Sandre. "Fiche cours d'eau - L'Orne (I2--0200)".
  8. ^ Sandre. "Fiche cours d'eau - Ruisseau du Val Fournet (I2506400)".
  9. ^ Sandre. "Fiche cours d'eau - Ruisseau de la Porte (I2505800)".
  10. ^ "INPN - FSD Natura 2000 - FR2500091 - Vallée de l'Orne et ses affluents - Description".
  11. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  12. ^ "Le château de la Landelle". Infotourisme.
  13. ^ "André Hardy Museum CLECY : Normandy Tourism". Normandy Tourism, France.
  14. ^ "Clécy. En Suisse normande, des petits trains en grand format". tendanceouest.com.
  15. ^ "Church of St. Peter (15th century) CLECY : Normandy Tourism". Normandy Tourism, France.
  16. ^ "Nature Morte - Paulémile Pissarro (1884 - 1972) | Stern Pissarro Gallery". www.pissarro.art.
  17. ^ a b "Atlas français de la coopération décentralisée et des autres actions extérieures - Clécy". Commission Nationale de la Coopération Décentralisée.
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