Baron-sur-Odon () is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of north-western France.INSEE commune file
The inhabitants of the commune are known as Baronnais or Baronnaises.Inhabitants of Calvados
The commune has been awarded one flower by the National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom in the Competition of cities and villages in Bloom.Competition for Towns and Villages in Bloom website
Geography Baron-sur-Odon is located some 4 km south-west of Caen and 10 km north-east of Villers-Bocage. It is part of the urban area of Caen. Access to the commune is by the D89 from Tourville-sur-Odon in the north which passes through the village and continues south to Esquay-Notre-Dame. The D214 comes from Gavrus in the south-west and also passes through the village as well as Les Crettes and La Bruyère before continuing north-east to Fontaine-Étoupefour. Apart from the village there are the hamlets of Tourmauville, Les Crettes, and La Bruyère. The commune is mostly farmland except for some forest in the north.
The river Odon forms the northern border of the commune as it flows north-east to join the Orne in Caen.
Toponymy The name of the area is attested as Baron in 1138Ernest Nègre, General Toponymy of France, Librairie Droz, 1990, Vol II, 676 pages, p. 829, . and Baro in the 14th century.Albert Dauzat and Charles Rostaing, Etymological Dictionary of place names in France, Larousse, Paris, 1963 The origin of this place name is uncertain. Albert Dauzat suggests the cognomen Baro or a title of German origin Baron. René Lepelley meanwhile detects the Gallic barro meaning "fence" (in old French barre) or the Germanic anthroponym Baro.René Lepelley, Etymological Dictionary of names of communes in Normandy, Éditions Charles Corlet, Condé-sur-Noireau, 1996, BnF 36174448w p. 59
History
Baron-sur-Odon appears as Baron on the 1750 Cassini Map and the same on the 1790 version.
The "Chemin Haussé", which passes through the commune, is a Roman road identified as one of the roads included in the Tabula Peutingeriana. The road is mostly straight with embankments hence the name (Haussé means "raised"). This route was used as a line of communication until the end of the Middle Ages. It is also called the "Path of Duke William" on some land registers.The Chemin Haussé on Panoramio
In June 1944, during Operation Epsom, the heights of Hill 112 south-east of Baron-sur-Odon (also in the communes of Fontaine-Étoupefour, Vieux, and Esquay-Notre-Dame) was one objectives for the liberation of Caen. The fighting lasted more than a month.
Heraldry
The explanation of this blazon follows:From an explanatory document from the town hall of Baron-sur-Odon: the blazon project was proposed in the municipal council by Mr. Collard and Mr. Maheut and adopted unanimously.
The Croix de Guerre was awarded to the commune after the Battle of Hill 112 which took place on its soil. The arms of the Basse-Normandie region are represented by two golden leopards.
The horseshoe symbolizes the escape of William the Conqueror (from Valognes to Falaise in 1047) with his horse shod in reverse to mislead his pursuers. The ripples represent the river Odon.
Administration
List of Successive MayorsList of Mayors of France From To Name Party Position 1971 1983 Charles Duboscq 1983 1995 Gérard Maheut 1995 2008 Joseph Desquesnes 2008 2026Reelection 2014: Georges Laignel was elected Mayor for a second term, Ouest-France, consulted on 8 April 2014 Georges Laignel
The municipal council consists of 15 members including a Mayor and four deputies.art L. 2121-2 of the General Code of Collective Territories .
Twinning
Baron-sur-Odon has twinning associations with:National Commission for Decentralised cooperation Gaukönigshofen (Germany) since 1998. Chittlehampton (United Kingdom) since 1986.
Demography
Culture and heritage
Civil heritage The Chateau of Tourmeauville (18th century) with its Chapel (19th century) A Chateau and Manor (16th century) is registered as a Monument historique
Religious heritage The Church of Notre-Dame of the Nativity (12th century) is registered as a Monument historique.
See also Communes of the Calvados department Operation Epsom
References
External links Commune of Baron-sur-Odon website