Calvados Facts for Kids

This page is about an area in France. For the alcoholic drink, see Calvados (drink).

Quick facts for kids

Calvados

Flag	Coat of arms

Location of Calvados in France

Country

France

Area

• Total

5,548 km² (2,142 sq mi)

Population

(2007)

• Total

673,667

• Rank

31st

• Density

121.425/km² (314.490/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

French Land Register data, which exclude estuaries, and lakes, ponds, and glaciers larger than 1 km²

Calvados is a special area in France. It is called a department. You can find it in the Normandy region, which is in the northwest part of France. This area is famous for its beautiful countryside, rich history, and delicious apple products.

History of Calvados
- How Calvados Got Its Name
- World War II and D-Day
Visiting Calvados: Tourism
- Things to See and Do
- Delicious Local Foods
Images for kids
See also

History of Calvados

Calvados was created a long time ago, on March 4, 1790. This happened during the French Revolution, when France was reorganizing its different areas. It was made from a part of the older region called Normandy.

How Calvados Got Its Name

The name "Calvados" is quite interesting! At first, people thought about calling it "Orne inférieure." But they decided to name it after a group of rocks found off its coast in the English Channel.

There's a fun story about where the name came from. Some people say it's named after a Spanish ship called the Salvador. This ship was part of the Spanish Armada and supposedly sank near the rocks of Arromanches-les-Bains in 1588.

However, it's more likely that the name Calvados comes from two Latin words: calva dorsa. This means bare backs. It probably describes two rocks near the shore that didn't have much plant life on them.

World War II and D-Day

Calvados played a very important role in World War II. On June 6, 1944, brave Allied forces landed on the beaches here. This famous event is known as D-Day. It was a huge battle that helped change the course of the war. Many museums in Calvados today tell the story of D-Day.

Visiting Calvados: Tourism

Calvados is a very popular place for tourists to visit in France. People love its beautiful seaside towns and fancy hotels. It's also known for its green countryside, old castles, and charming Norman houses.

Things to See and Do

Beaches: The D-Day beaches are a must-see for their historical importance.
Cities: Explore cities like Caen, Bayeux, and Lisieux.
Museums: Learn about history, especially the Second World War, in the many museums.
Countryside: Enjoy the quiet, peaceful countryside with its chalk cliffs.

Delicious Local Foods

Calvados is also famous for its yummy food and drinks, especially those made from apples!

Cider: A popular apple drink.
Calvados: A strong apple brandy.
Cheeses: Try famous French cheeses like camembert and Pont-l'Évêque.

Many people from big cities like Paris choose Calvados for their holidays and weekend trips. It's like a peaceful "countryside of Paris" where they can relax and enjoy nature.