Baron-sur-Odon is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of north-western France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as Baronnais or Baronnaises. The commune has been awarded one flower by the National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom in the Competition of cities and villages in Bloom.

Geography

Baron-sur-Odon is located some 4 km south-west of Caen and 10 km north-east of Villers-Bocage. It is part of the urban area of Caen. Access to the commune is by the D89 from Tourville-sur-Odon in the north which passes through the village and continues south to Esquay-Notre-Dame. The D214 comes from Gavrus in the south-west and also passes through the village as well as Les Crettes and La Bruyère before continuing north-east to Fontaine-Étoupefour. Apart from the village there are the hamlets of Tourmauville, Les Crettes, and La Bruyère. The commune is mostly farmland except for some forest in the north. The river Odon forms the northern border of the commune as it flows north-east to join the Orne in Caen.

Toponymy

The name of the area is attested as Baron in 1138 and Baro in the 14th century. The origin of this place name is uncertain. Albert Dauzat suggests the cognomen Baro or a title of German origin Baron. René Lepelley meanwhile detects the Gallic barro meaning "fence" (in old French barre) or the Germanic anthroponym Baro.

History

Baron-sur-Odon appears as Baron on the 1750 Cassini Map and the same on the 1790 version. The "Chemin Haussé", which passes through the commune, is a Roman road identified as one of the roads included in the Tabula Peutingeriana. The road is mostly straight with embankments hence the name (Haussé means "raised"). This route was used as a line of communication until the end of the Middle Ages. It is also called the "Path of Duke William" on some land registers. In June 1944, during Operation Epsom, the heights of Hill 112 south-east of Baron-sur-Odon (also in the communes of Fontaine-Étoupefour, Vieux, and Esquay-Notre-Dame) was one objectives for the liberation of Caen. The fighting lasted more than a month.

Heraldry

The explanation of this blazon follows: The horseshoe symbolizes the escape of William the Conqueror (from Valognes to Falaise in 1047) with his horse shod in reverse to mislead his pursuers. The ripples represent the river Odon.

Administration

List of Successive Mayors The municipal council consists of 15 members including a Mayor and four deputies.

Twinning

Baron-sur-Odon has twinning associations with:

Demography

In 2017 the commune had 939 inhabitants.

Culture and heritage

Civil heritage

Religious heritage

The Church of Notre-Dame of the Nativity (12th century) is registered as an historical monument.