Mérignac (; Occitan: Merinhac) is a commune in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France.
It is the largest suburb of the city of Bordeaux and adjoins it to the west. It is a member of the Bordeaux Métropole.
Mérignac is the site of Bordeaux International Airport.
Etymology The name Mérignac derives from the Gallo-Roman word Matriniacus, name of a villa rustica (countryside villa) that was the origin of today's town.
History
The town council acquired the Château Le Vivier in 1972 and subsequently converted the main building for use as the Hôtel de Ville (town hall).
Population
Sights Tour de Veyrines : Veyrines Dungeon. Château Bourran : Bourran Castle Château Le Burck : Le Burck Castle Château or Maison Noble du Parc or d'Espagne : Parc Castle or Spain Castle Fontaine d'Arlac : Arlac Fountain Immeuble Gillet : Gillet Building La glacière : the icehouse La vieille église : the old Roman church Maison carrée d'Arlac : Peychotte's folly (Square House) in Arlac
Parks and gardens Parc de Bourran Bois du Burck : Burck wood Parc de Mérignac Parc Saint-Exupéry Parc du Vivier : the wood around the city hall
Education The commune has about 5,000 students in the primary and secondary schools in its city. Schools include:"Scolarité des 3 – 11 ans." Mérignac, Gironde. Retrieved on September 6, 2016. "Quelque 5 000 enfants sont scolarisés dans la ville." 15 public and private preschools"Ecoles maternelles." Mérignac, Gironde. Retrieved on September 6, 2016. "La ville compte une quinzaine d'écoles maternelles, publiques et privées[...]" 15 public and private elementary schools"Ecoles élémentaires." Mérignac, Gironde. Retrieved on September 6, 2016. "La ville compte une quinzaine d'écoles élémentaires, publiques et privées,[..." Four junior high schools: Collège de Bourran, Collège de Capeyron, Collège Jules-Ferry, Collège des Eyquems"Collèges." Mérignac, Gironde. Retrieved on September 6, 2016. Two senior high schools: Lycée Fernand Daguin and Lycée professionnel Marcel Dassault"Lycées." Mérignac, Gironde. Retrieved on September 6, 2016.
Twin towns – sister cities
Mérignac is twinned with: Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada Kaolack, Senegal Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
See also Aéroport de Bordeaux Mérignac Communes of the Gironde department
Notable inhabitants Albert Dupouy (1901 - 1973): player of rugby to death in Mérignac Jean Samazeuilh (1891 - 1965): French tennis player dead in Mérignac Nicolas Canteloup, born on 4 November 1963, in Mérignac in the Gironde, is a comedian, French imitator. Émile Rummelhardt, former professional player and French football coach. Robert Étienne (1921–2009): French historian of ancient Rome, was born in Mérignac.
References
External links
Official website Official website (Archive)