Calvados

department, France

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June 22, 2026

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Calvados is a department in the Normandy region of northwestern France. It is known for its apple orchards, which are used to produce cider and a cider brandy also called calvados. The department's landscape includes uplands from the Armorican Massif and parts of the Paris Basin.1

Historically, Calvados is significant as the birthplace of William the Conqueror in the town of Falaise. During World War II, the coast of Calvados was a key site for the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944. The town of Falaise itself was heavily damaged during the war but has since been restored.21

The department is also home to popular seaside resorts like Trouville and Deauville. In 2016, the Basse-Normandie region, which included Calvados, merged with Haute-Normandie to form the new region of Normandy.31

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Basse-Normandie
…the northwestern départements of Orne, Calvados, and Manche. The northern and western shores of the region are washed by the English Channel. In 2016 the Basse-Normandie région was joined with the région of Haute-Normandie to form the new administrative entity of Normandy.
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…the northwestern départements of Orne, Calvados, and Manche. The northern and western shores of the region are washed by the English Channel. In 2016 the Basse-Normandie région was joined with the région of Haute-Normandie to form the new administrative entity of Normandy.
Read More