Balleroy

Balleroy is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse -Normandie with 969 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011). The inhabitants are called Biardais.

Geography

The municipality is located on the eastern edge of the reserve forest of Cerisy, 13 km southwest of the town of Bayeux, 20 km northeast of the town of Saint -Lô. On the western edge of the village flows the Drôme. The Atlantic coast is about 18 km as the crow in a northerly direction.

History

By the year 1521 the village was in possession of Mr. d' Aunay, then the family Trextot acquired the lands. Jean de Choisy, consultants, notary and secretary of the king, in turn, bought Balleroy and in consequence also the lands Cormolain, Montfiquet and Vaubadon. His father was Lord of Balleroy and laid the foundation for the present castle. The architect François Mansart created not only the castle, but also planned the homes of the villagers around. The village Balleroy with its castle as one of the first urban settlements served as a model for other castles, such as Versailles. The Lord of Balleroy procured in 1634 the establishment of a diene daily weekly market and two annual fairs.

From 1792 to 1795, the time of the Great Terror, the place was known as Bal -sur -Drôme.

Mayor of the municipality is Denis Legrand. He replaced in 2001 Yvon Houel.

Attractions

Balleroy is known for its castle Balleroy. The architect François Mansart, it was built in 1631 by order of the border grater seater Jean de Choisy (Senior ). The affiliated French gardens including moat were created by Henri Duchêne André Le Nôtre to plans. Middle of the 19th century, the owner of a romantic park in the style of an English landscape garden to create. The park with old trees is public, may be gone for a walk on marked trails. Of the once 8,000 acres are now only 166 remained.

In an outbuilding of the castle Malcolm Forbes founded in 1975 a museum of hot air balloons. Throughout his life he collected photographs, models, dioramas, unusual objects and unique documents that trace the history of the hot air balloon ride.

Demographics

Partner communities

Balleroy maintains partnerships with the following towns:

  • Shebbear, Devonshire (United Kingdom)
  • Ribe (Denmark)
  • Fô ( Burkina Faso)

Personalities

  • Albert de Balleroy, French painter, the castle was the country seat of the aristocratic family
  • Malcolm Forbes, American publisher, editor of Forbes Magazine to 1990, 1970 to owners of the castle
Lower Normandy Arrondissement Arrondissement of Bayeux Cantons of France Canton of Balleroy Postal codes in France French formal garden Hectare
101885
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