Intercommunality Pays de Livarot Area 12.09 km² | Region Normandy Canton Livarot Time zone CET (UTC+1) Population 2,516 (1999) | |
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Livarot is a former commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Livarot-Pays-d'Auge.
Contents
- Map of 14140 Livarot France
- Geography
- Toponymy
- Battle of Normandy
- Politics and administration
- Demographics
- Economy
- Places and monuments
- Twinning
- Sports
- Events
- Personalities linked to the commune
- References
Map of 14140 Livarot, France
The population is composed of 2,183 inhabitants and the name of its inhabitants is Livarotais.
The town is home to many companies of renowned such as the Georges Leroy factory, Graindorge cheese manufacturing which produces Livarot, among others. The commune gave its name to its cheese; Livarot cheese. The La Fermière (CCLF) calvados cider is also produced in the commune.
Geography
Livarot is situated at the junction of the D4 and D579 roads. The nearest city is Caen, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the north-west.
Toponymy
The place is attested late in the form Livarrot in 1155, and Livar(r)ou in 1156 or 1157.
The etymological explanation of this place name has no unanimity among toponymists:
Battle of Normandy
On 17 July 1944, the pharmacist and Mayor of Livarot, brought first aid to Rommel following the strafing of his car by an Allied aircraft, not far away, between the villages of Sainte-Foy-de-Montgommery and Vimoutiers. He was then evacuated, the same day, to the German military hospital in Bernay.
Livarot was liberated on 19 August. Following Operation Paddle, the British 7th Armoured Division was on the banks of the Vie. The division then faced a strong resistance by the 272nd Division of the German infantry, but also suffered losses to friendly fire from Allied aircraft. On 19 August, British artillery heavily bombed the area. The British arrived to seize a bridge, which hadn't been destroyed, across the river to Saint-Michel-de-Livet, north of Livarot. The French Resistance then learned that the Germans had abandoned Livarot and that the first British soldiers had entered the same day.
Politics and administration
The municipal council is composed of 23 members, including the mayor and six assistants.
Demographics
In 2012, the municipality had 2,183 inhabitants. Since 2004, censuses in municipalities of less than 10,000 inhabitants are held every five years (in 2008, 2013, 2018, etc. for Livarot) and legal municipal population are estimations in other years. Livarot counted 2,654 inhabitants in 1975.
Economy
Places and monuments
Twinning
Sports
The Étoile Sportive Livarotaise [Livarotaise Sports Star] evolved two football teams in district divisions.
The cycling section of the club has trained many riders such as father and son François and Romain Lemarchand, and also Fabien Taillefer. Stage 7 of the 2015 Tour de France is also planned to start in Livarot.
Events
The Livarot Cheese Fair is held every year in August.