Merville-Franceville-Plage is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.GeographyMerville-Franceville-Plage, more usually called Franceville, is situated on the Côte Fleurie, 6 km from Cabourg and 14km from Caen. Merville Franceville is located on the right/east side of the Baie de l'Orne.The back country is a plain, favourable to cereal cultivation and dairy cattle.ClimateThe commune has a maritime climate : Winters are warm and summers rarely suffer from excessive heat.SightsRedoute de Merville, fortification edified on Vauban's plans in 1779. Rediscovered by the occupying forces during World War II. Batterie de Merville or Merville Gun Battery is an historic site situated in the eastern flank of the landing area Sword Beach where Lieutenant-Colonel Terence Otway carried out a heroic mission with his men of the 9th Battalion of parachutists before the dawn of D-Day by neutralizing the artillery of the German battery.TourismMerville Franceville is attractive for families, thanks to the various beach activities and excursions in the back-country.