Balleroy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Balleroy
Part of Balleroy-sur-Drôme
A street in Balleroy
Coat of arms
Balleroy Location in France Show map of France Balleroy Location in Normandy Show map of Normandy
Country	France
Region	Normandy
Department	Calvados
Arrondissement	Bayeux
Canton	Trévières
Commune	Balleroy-sur-Drôme
Area 1	4.23 km2 (1.63 sq mi)
Population  (2019)	928
• Density	219.4/km2 (568.2/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal code	14490
Elevation	49–131 m (161–430 ft) (avg. 110 m or 360 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Balleroy was once a small town, or commune, in the Calvados area of Normandy, France. It is in the north-west of France. On January 1, 2016, Balleroy joined with another town to form a new, bigger commune called Balleroy-sur-Drôme.

Geography

Balleroy is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south-west of Bayeux. It is also about 21 kilometers (13 miles) north-east of Saint-Lô. You can get to Balleroy by taking the D13 road. This road goes right through the village.

Most of the land around Balleroy is farmland. The large grounds of the Château de Balleroy are just west of the village.

The Drôme River flows along the western and north-western edges of the area. It eventually reaches the ocean. Two smaller streams, the Ruisseau de la Commune and the Vesbire, also flow into the Drôme River nearby.

Neighbouring communes and villages

		Vaubadon	Castillon
			Saint-Paul-du-Vernay
		Balleroy
	La Bazoque	Planquery	Cahagnolles

History

For a long time, until 1521, Balleroy belonged to a powerful local lord. Later, the Trextot family bought it. Then, a man named Jean de Choisy bought Balleroy. He was an important advisor and secretary to the king. He also bought other lands nearby.

Jean de Choisy started building the famous Château de Balleroy that you can still see today. He even encouraged people to build their homes near the castle. This helped the village grow.

In 1634, the Lord of Balleroy was allowed to start a weekly market. This market was held every Tuesday. He also got permission for two big fairs each year. These events helped the town's economy.

During the French Revolution (from 1792 to 1795), Balleroy had a different name. It was called Bal-sur-Drôme.

Town Symbols (Heraldry)

A blazon is like a description of a coat of arms. Balleroy's coat of arms has four sections. Two sections show a gold "saltire" (an X-shape) with four gold circles. The other two sections show three red hearts on a silver background. The red hearts belong to the de La Cour de Balleroy family. They were important nobles who used to be the Marquises of Balleroy.

Administration

Balleroy Town Hall

Balleroy School

Balleroy was part of a group of towns called the Community of communes Intercom Balleroy Le Molay-Littry. This group included 22 towns. They worked together on things like services for their communities.

Balleroy was also the main town of a "canton" (a smaller administrative area). Since 2015, it is now part of the canton of Trévières.

Mayors of Balleroy

A mayor is the leader of a town or city. Here are some of the people who have been mayor of Balleroy:

Twin Towns

Balleroy has special friendships with towns in other countries. These are called "twinning" associations.

• Shebbear in the United Kingdom (since 1979).
• Ribe in Denmark (since 1986).
• Fo in Burkina Faso (since 1989).

Demography

The people who live in Balleroy are called Biardais or Biardaises (for girls). They can also be called Billards or Billardes.

The War Memorial

Culture and Heritage

The Chateau de Balleroy

Historic Buildings

Balleroy has two places that are protected as historical monuments. This means they are very old and important.

• The Château de Balleroy was built in 1626. A famous architect named François Mansart designed it. The beautiful gardens were planned by André Le Nôtre. The castle stayed in the Balleroy family until 1970. The village of Balleroy actually grew up around this castle.
• The Château de Balleroy Park is also a historical site, designed in 1626.

Chateau of Balleroy Picture Gallery

Religious Heritage

The Church of Saint Martin

• The Parish Church of Saint-Martin was built around 1650. Its grounds are a registered historical monument. Inside the church, you can find several old and valuable items. These include:
  • A painting from the 17th century showing "The Alliance between Abimélek and Abraham".
  • Another 17th-century painting called "The descendant of Abraham".
  • A beautiful Chalice (a special cup) and Paten (a small plate) from the 17th century.
  • A 17th-century statue of the "Virgin and child".
  • An 18th-century painting called "The Annunciation".
  • An 18th-century Episcopal Cross.
  • A 17th-century statue of "Saint Martin".

Church of Saint Martin Picture Gallery

• 

  The Nave

• 

  Painting: The Descendant of Abraham

• 

  The Confessional

Activities and Events

For many years, a big gathering of hot air balloons took place at the Château de Balleroy. The last time this event happened at the castle was in 1999. This was to celebrate what would have been the 80th birthday of Malcolm Forbes, who owned the castle.

Since 2007, a smaller hot air balloon festival has been held again. It takes place at the end of June. However, it is now held at the village stadium, not at the castle. The village festival committee organizes this fun event.

Notable People Linked to Balleroy

Count Albert de Balleroy

Some interesting people have connections to Balleroy:

• Louis Charles d'Hervilly (1756-1795) was a count and a knight. He married Marie Louise Augustine La Cour de Balleroy in 1778 at the Château de Balleroy. This was his wife's family castle.
• Louis James came from an old Balleroy family. He moved to Auxerre and started one of the first modern department stores there. He brought his nephew and niece into the successful business.
• Count Albert de Balleroy (1828-1872) was a politician and a painter. He was known for painting hunting scenes. He even shared an art studio in Paris with the famous painter Édouard Manet.
• Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990) was an American billionaire who owned magazines. He bought the Château de Balleroy in 1970.

See also

In Spanish: Balleroy para niños