Clécy

Clécy is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region in northwestern France.

In 1932 it was awarded the title The Capital of Suisse Normand by the Tourism Minister Monsieur Gourdeau.

Geography
Clécy is on the River Orne, in the middle of Norman Switzerland, about 35 kms south of Caen. Covering 2463 ha it is the second largest commune in the canton of Le Hom.

The Commune consists of the following of villages and hamlets, Roche Taillis, Les Thomas, Le Clos d'Ailly, La Haute Bigne, La Faverie, Les Berthaumes, La Loterie, La Fresnée and Clécy

Called the "Capital of Norman Switzerland", the village of Clécy owes its fame to the rugged and verdant Armorican massif, with valleys through which the Orne flows. In addition to the Orne, two streams, The Val Fournet and La Porte also flow through the commune.

Plenty of outdoor activities are available: kayaking, paragliding, climbing, hill walking and mountain biking, taking advantage of the geology of Norman Switzerland.

History
The name "Clécy" is mentioned in 860 in the reign of Charles the Bald.

When French cantons were created, Clécy was the capital of the canton. This ceased to be the case after restructuring in 1801.

Clécy has a wealth of historical treasures: Châteaux and manor houses are spread all over Clécy and its surroundings. The Château de la Landelle is one of the oldest.

More recently, painters such as Paul-Émile Pissarro, Moteley and Andre Hardy have painted landscapes around Clécy.

Population
Its inhabitants are called Clécyens in French.

Economy

 * Fromagerie Vallée (Valley Cheesemaker)

Sights

 * The Château de La Landelle is one of the oldest monuments in the village. At its base it is in the form of a cross, originally on one floor, but was changed to two floors when the wings were reworked. In the Second World War it was occupied by the Germans.
 * Musée André Hardy (André Hardy Museum)
 * Musée du chemin de fer miniature (Museum of miniature trains)
 * Eglise St Pierre (St Paul's church) (15th century)
 * Clécy Viaduct (1866)

Personalities

 * Paul-Émile Pissarro (1884 – 1972) a French impressionist and neo-impressionist painter, died here.

Twin towns – sister cities
Clécy is twinned with:


 * Ermington, United Kingdom since 1980
 * 🇧🇪 Beyne-Heusay, Belgium since 1976