The landscape areas correspond to regions characterised by elements that are constant of the human scale (relief, ground, hydrology), and elements that evolve more rapidly (vegetation, buildings, activities, dominant colours). Landscapes of the Pays d'Auge have changed considerably from this point of view. In the 19th century, and at the start of the 20th century, the Pays d'Auge became the country of grass and trees, grazing for the Norman cow, cider and orchards. During the 20th century, the bocage has become much thinner over the whole region ; orchards have progressively disappeared. Currently, it seems that evolution is going to be quite different, depending on whether one is in the marshlands, on the slopes or on the plateaux. Reliefs, ground and hydrography are going to be decisive parameters for evolution of agricultural activity and the development of the landscapes.

The Pays d'Auge is part of the Parisian basin. The four cantons are located in the depression of the Dives and on the ridge and dip slope of the cuesta which form the edges of the bowl of the Parisian basin.