Balleroy

{{Short description|Commune in Calvados, France}} {{Infobox French commune |name = Balleroy |image = Balleroy 05.JPG |caption = A street in Balleroy |image coat of arms = Blason_ville_fr_Balleroy_(Calvados).svg |arrondissement = Bayeux |canton = Trévières |INSEE = 14035 |postal code = 14490 |commune = Balleroy-sur-Drôme |coordinates = {{coord|49.1814|-0.8369|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |elevation m = 110 |elevation min m = 49 |elevation max m = 131 |area km2 = 4.23 |population = 900 |population date = 2022 |population footnotes = <ref name=pop2022>{{cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/8290591/ensemble.pdf|title=Populations de référence 2022|language=fr|trans-title=Reference populations 2022|publisher=INSEE|date=December 2024}}</ref> }}

'''Balleroy''' ({{IPA|fr|baləʁwa|-|Fr-Balleroy.ogg}}) is a former commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of north-western France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Balleroy-sur-Drôme.<ref>[https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/eli/arrete/2015/12/23/INTB1601506A/jo/texte Arrêté préfectoral] 23 December 2015 {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

==Geography== Balleroy is located some 16 km south-west of Bayeux and 21 km north-east of Saint-Lô. Access to the commune is by the D13 road from Cerisy-la-Forêt in the west which passes through the village and continues east to Lingèvres. The D28 road goes south from the village to Planquery. The commune is mainly farmland with the Château de Balleroy grounds just west of the village occupying a substantial land area.<ref name=Google>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/14490+Balleroy,+France/@49.1811939,-0.8386409,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x480bb0378c67e50d:0x40c14484fbcfc20 Google Maps]</ref>

The river Drôme forms the western and north-western borders of the commune as it flows north-east to eventually join the ocean at Port-en-Bessin-Huppain. The ''Ruisseau de la Commune'' flows from the west to join the Drome in the commune. The ''Vesbire'' forms the south-eastern border of the commune as it flows south-west to join the Drôme.<ref name=Google/>

{{Geographic location | title = '''Neighbouring communes and villages'''<ref name=Google/> |width=auto |Centre = Balleroy |North = Vaubadon |Northeast = Castillon |East = Saint-Paul-du-Vernay |Southeast = Cahagnolles |South = Planquery |Southwest = La Bazoque |West = |Northwest = }}

==History== Until 1521 the commune was the property of the lord of Aunay. The lordship of Balleroy was purchased by the Trextot family. Jean de Choisy, counselor, notary and secretary of the king, in turn bought the lordship of Balleroy as well as the lands of Cormolain, Montfiquet, and Vaubadon. He was the son of Jean de Choisy, intendant of Metz, knight, advisor to the king and the Duke of Orléans, Lord of Balleroy, Beaumont, Grandcamp, Léthanville, and Saint-Pierre and he founded the present chateau. He made the inhabitants near the chateau into vassals, forcing them to build their homes there.

In 1634 the Lord of Balleroy obtained the establishment of a weekly market (on Tuesday) and two fairs a year.

During the French revolutionary period of the National Convention (1792-1795), the commune was called ''Bal-sur-Drôme''.<ref name=ehess/>

===Heraldry=== {{Blazon-arms |img1=Blason_ville_fr_Balleroy_(Calvados).svg |legend1=Arms of Balleroy |text=

'''Blazon:'''<br/> ''Quarterly: at 1 and 4 Azure, a saltire engrailed of Or cantoned with four roundels the same; at 2 and 3, Argent, three hearts of Gules.''

The blazon of quarters 2 and 3 (hearts) is that of the ''de La Cour de Balleroy'' family (extinct), the former Marquises of Balleroy. }}

==Administration== thumb|Balleroy Town Hall thumb|Balleroy School Balleroy was part of the Community of communes Intercom Balleroy Le Molay-Littry which included 22 communes and had its seat in Le Molay-Littry.

Balleroy was the seat of the former Canton of Balleroy. Since the 2015 French cantons reform, it is part of the canton of Trévières.

'''List of Successive Mayors'''<ref>[http://www.francegenweb.org/mairesgenweb/resultcommune.php?id=18593 List of Mayors of France] {{in lang|fr}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! From !! To !! Name !! Party !! Position |- | 1850 || || M Villeroy<ref>Department of Calvados Annual, 1850, p.364</ref> || || |- | ~1970 || ~1980 || Pierre Blanchard || || |- | 2001 || 2006 || Yves Houel || || |- | 2006<ref>[http://www.ouest-france.fr/le-maire-denis-legrand-se-represente-aux-elections-1862421 ''The Mayor Denis Legrand wins election after the death of Yves Houel''], Ouest-France {{in lang|fr}}</ref> || 2014 || Denis Legrand || || |- | 2014<ref>[http://www.ouest-france.fr/le-nouveau-maire-gilbert-montaigne-presente-son-equipe-2116323 ''The new Mayor Gilbert Montaigne presents his team''], Ouest-France, {{in lang|fr}}</ref> || 2016 || Gilbert Montaigne || || |}

===Twinning=== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}} Balleroy has twinning associations with:<ref>[https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/cncdext/dyn/public/atlas/rechercheAtlasFrance.html National Commission for Decentralised cooperation] {{in lang|fr}}</ref> *{{flagicon|UK}} Shebbear (United Kingdom) since 1979. *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Ribe (Denmark) since 1986. *{{flagicon|Burkina Faso}} Fo (Burkina Faso) since 1989.

==Demography== The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Biardais'' or ''Biardaises'' and ''Billards'' or ''Billardes'' in French.<ref>[https://www.habitants.fr/calvados-14 Le nom des habitants du 14 - Calvados], habitants.fr</ref>

{{Historical populations | align = none | cols = 2 | percentages = pagr | source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|2509|Balleroy}}</ref> and INSEE<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2123878?geo=COM-14035 Populations légales 2012], INSEE</ref> |1793 |1228 |1800 |1176 |1806 |1391 |1821 |1326 |1831 |1267 |1836 |1395 |1841 |1310 |1846 |1291 |1851 |1311 |1856 |1244 |1861 |1286 |1866 |1284 |1872 |1220 |1876 |1114 |1881 |1124 |1886 |1110 |1891 |1103 |1896 |1085 |1901 |1059 |1906 |1037 |1911 |1015 |1921 |913 |1926 |850 |1931 |882 |1936 |836 |1946 |950 |1954 |866 |1962 |829 |1968 |757 |1975 |712 |1982 |720 |1990 |613 |1999 |787 |2007 |757 |2012 |985 }} thumb|The War Memorial

==Culture and heritage== thumb|The Chateau de Balleroy

===Civil heritage=== The commune has two sites that are registered as historical monuments: *The '''Château de Balleroy''' (1626){{Mérimée Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA00111028|PA00111028 Chateau of Balleroy}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref> was built by the architect François Mansart for Jean de Choisy, advisor to Louis XIII. Its French formal garden are by Henri Duchêne according to plans by André Le Nôtre. It remained in the Balleroy family until 1970. The village was built around the castle. *The '''Château de Balleroy Park''' (1626){{Mérimée Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|IA14003351|IA14003351 Chateau of Balleroy Park}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

;Chateau of Balleroy Picture Gallery <gallery> File:Château de Balleroy 2008 PD 02.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 38.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 11.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 04.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 10.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 32.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 24.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 31.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 05.JPG File:Château de Balleroy 09.JPG File:GrundrissSchlossBalleroy.png </gallery>

===Religious heritage=== thumb|The Church of Saint Martin *The '''Parish Church of Saint-Martin Grounds''' (1650){{Mérimée Icon}} are registered as an historical monument.<ref>Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA00111029|PA00111029 Church Grounds}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref> The Church contains several items that are registered as historical objects: **A Framed Painting: The Alliance between Abimélek and Abraham (17th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM14001327|PM14001327 Framed Painting: The Alliance between Abimélek and Abraham}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> **A Framed Painting: The descendant of Abraham (17th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM14001326|PM14001326 Framed Painting: The descendant of Abraham}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> **A Chalice with Paten (17th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM14000036|PM14000036 Chalice with Paten}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref> **A Statue: Virgin and child (17th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM14000035|PM14000035 Statue: Virgin and child}} {{in lang|fr}}{{Camera}}</ref> **A Painting: The Annunciation (18th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM14000034|PM14000034 Painting: The Annunciation}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> **An Episcopal Cross (18th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM14000033|PM14000033 Episcopal Cross}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> **A Statue: Saint Martin (17th century){{Palissy Icon}}<ref>Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM14000032|PM14000032 Statue: Saint Martin}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

;Church of Saint Martin Picture Gallery <gallery> File:Église Saint-Martin de Balleroy 11.JPG|The Nave File:Église Saint-Martin de Balleroy 17.JPG|Painting: The Descendant of Abraham File:Église Saint-Martin de Balleroy 09.JPG|The Confessional </gallery>

===Activities and events=== Each year a gathering of hot air balloons took place at the Château de Balleroy. This gathering took place for the last time in 1999 when Malcolm Forbes, the chateau's owner, would have celebrated his 80th birthday.

Since 2007 in the face of demand from the public, the festival was again held at the end of June but this no longer happens in the castle. This was held by the village festival committee who organized a small gathering. The festivities are now held above the village at the stadium.

==Notable people linked to the commune== thumb|Count Albert de Balleroy *'''Louis Charles d'Hervilly''' (1756-1795), Count of Hervilly, knight, Marquis of Leschelles, married Marie Louise Augustine La Cour de Balleroy (1758-1830) on 7 October 1778 at the Château de Balleroy which was the Château for his wife's family. *'''Louis James''', from an old Balleroy family (James from Lalande). He left to live in Auxerre (Yonne) where he founded the first modern department store in association with the local merchant Lesseré. As he was unmarried, he brought in a nephew (Achille) and niece (Hortense) to share in the very successful business: it was the time of "Bonheur des Dames" (Happiness of Women). The stores ''Soisson & James'' were transferred to Eurodif in 1970. *'''Count Albert de Balleroy''' (1828-1872), MP for Calvados,<ref>[http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/sycomore/fiche.asp?num_dept=8476 National Assembly website] {{in lang|fr}}</ref> painter specialising in hunting scenes, shared a studio on Rue Lavoisier in Paris with Édouard Manet<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070703230919/http://www.chateau-balleroy.com/us/albert.htm Albert de Balleroy Archive website]</ref> *'''Malcolm Forbes''' (1919-1990), American press billionaire, owner of the Chateau from 1970.

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== *[http://mairieballeroy.blogspot.fr/ Balleroy official blog] {{in lang|fr}} *[http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/cassinige.html?lat=49.1814&lon=-0.8369&zoom=13 ''Balleroy'' on the 1750 Cassini Map]

Category:Former communes of Calvados (department) Category:Communes of France disestablished in 2016