  Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) are interacting binaries consisting of at least
three components that control their colour and magnitude. Using Gaia we here
investigate the influence of the physical properties of these binaries on their
position in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HR-diagram). The CVs are on
average located between the main sequence and the white dwarf regime, the
maximum density being at $G_{BP}-G_{RP} \sim 0.56$ and $G_{abs} \sim 10.15$. We
find a trend of the orbital period with colour and absolute brightness: with
decreasing period, the CVs become bluer and fainter. We also identify the
location of the various CV sub-types in the HR-diagram and discuss the possible
location of detached CVs, going through the orbital period gap.
