Coordinates: 49°40′16″N 1°15′48″W / 49.6711111111°N 1.26333333333°W
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Commune of Barfleur |
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| Location | |
  Barfleur
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| Administration | |
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| Country | France |
| Region | Basse-Normandie |
| Department | Manche |
| Arrondissement | Cherbourg |
| Canton | Quettehou |
| Intercommunality | Val de Saire |
| Mayor | Jacques Houyvet (2001–2008) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 4 m (13 ft) avg. |
| Land area1 | 0.6 km2 (0.23 sq mi) |
| Population2 | 642 (1999) |
| - Density | 1,070 /km2 (2,800 /sq mi) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 50030/ 50760 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Barfleur is a commune in the Manche department in the Basse-Normandie region in north-western France.
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History
Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages Barfleur was one of the chief ports of embarkation for England.
- 1066 - A large medallion fixed to a rock in the harbour marks the Norman departure from Barfleur before the Battle of Hastings.
- 1120 - The White Ship, carrying Prince William, only legitimate son of Henry I of England, went down outside the harbour.
- 1194 - Richard I of England departed from Barfleur on return to England following his captivity by Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor.
Later
Heraldry
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The arms of Barfleur are blazoned : type "rébus"= bar=seabass + Fleur=flower (but the name Barfleur is actually of scandinavian origin : Barbefloth, Barba's river). |
Trivia
About 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north is Cape Barfleur, with a lighthouse 233 ft (71 m). high.
A Brittany Ferries vessel is named after the village and operates from nearby Cherbourg-Octeville to Poole in the United Kingdom.
See also
External links and references
- Barfleur official website (in French)
"Barfleur". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.- 'Postcard from Barfleur'
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