Barou-en-Auge
Barou-en-Auge (, literally "Barou in Auge") is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region of north-western France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as "Conias". Geography. Barou-en-Auge is located some 10 km north-east of Falaise and 8 km south of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. Access to the commune is by the D90 road from Louvagny in the north which passes through the centre of the commune and the village before continuing south to Le Marais-la-Chapelle. The D39 from Damblainville to Heurtevent forms the northern border of  the commune. The D39B goes west from the village to Morteaux-Coulibœuf. "Le Beudron" stream rises near the village and flows west to join the Dives west of the commune. The "Ruisseau des Ruaux" flows west through the south of the commune and also joins the Dives. Toponymy. The spelling "Barou" was attested in 1417. René Lepelley suggested a possible attribution of its origin to the Gallic "barro" ("barre" in Old French) meaning "fence" joined to the Gallic suffix of presence "-avo" meaning "enclosure". Albert Dauzat proposes the Latin anthroponym "Barus". The commune of "Barou" was renamed "Barou-en-Auge  in 1936. History. Barou-en-Auge appears as Barou" on the 1750 Cassini Map and the same on the 1790 version. On 10 November 1855 at around 10:00 am a wolf was seen in Barou commune. Upon a declaration by the mayor a hunt was organized. All landowners with a gun had to travel to the edge of the wood where the wolf had entered. After an epic pursuit in the wood the wolf was wounded after several shots. He managed to escape and take refuge in a small wood located in the commune of Norrey. At eight in the  evening the wolf was killed by a day labourer living in Barou. It was a wolf about 3 to 4 years old. A prize of 12 francs was granted. The Falaise Pocket was the last operation of the Battle of Normandy during the Second World War. It took place from 12 to 21 August 1944 in an area between the four Normandy towns of Trun, Argentan, Vimoutiers and Chambois and ended near Falaise. Administration. List of Successive Mayors The Municipal Council is composed of 7 members including the Mayor and 1 deputy. Demography. In 2017 the commune had 78 inhabitants . Culture and heritage. Civil heritage. The commune has a number of buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments: Religious heritage. The Parish Church of Saint Martin (13th century) is registered as an historical monument. There is a statue in high relief representing the charity of Saint Martin above the portal of the bell tower. This 18th century statue is separated from the rest of the church following the disappearance of a large part of the nave in the late 19th century. It is topped by a weather vane decorated with a tricolor flag instead of the traditional rooster  (replaced by the commune). The choir from the 13th century is illuminated by windows with Gothic lancets. The bays of the nave have survived and are closed by a facade decorated with a neo-Gothic portal. To the south, adjoining the choir, the lordly chapel is vaulted with intersecting ribs resting on columns. In the 16th century the lordship of Barou belonged to the Morell family of Aubigny. William, squire of the Queen and Governor of Mortagne au Perche, died in April 1615 as shown on a tombstone and "Litre funéraire" (a black band around the church to honour the  deceased). A funeral decoration is painted in fresco on the wall. The conservation of this type of decoration is rare, the murals were frequently covered according to the tastes of the time. The Church contains many items that are registered as historical objects: