Gradignan

Gradignan
Commune
Seal
Gradignan Location in France
Coordinates: 44°46′21″N 0°36′56″W / 44.77250°N 0.61556°W / 44.77250; -0.61556
Country	France
Region	Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Department	Gironde
Arrondissement	Bordeaux
Government
• Mayor	Michel Labardin
Area
• Total	15.77 km2 (6.09 sq mi)
Elevation	26 m (85 ft)
Population  (2023)
• Total	26,952
• Density	1,700/km2 (4,400/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	33170
Website	www.gradignan.fr

Gradignan is a town and commune (the smallest kind of local government area in France) in the Gironde department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France. More than 25,000 people live there.

Gradignan is a suburb of the city of Bordeaux, which means it is a smaller town just outside a big city. It lies about 10 kilometres (6 miles) south of the centre of Bordeaux. Since 1968, it has been part of the group of towns that make up the wider Bordeaux city area.

Geography

Gradignan covers about 15.8 square kilometres (6.1 square miles). A small river called the Eau Bourde flows through the town. Gradignan has kept many green spaces, including large parks such as the Parc de Mandavit and the Parc de Moulineau.

History

The name Gradignan most likely comes from a Roman personal name, Gradinus (or Gradignanus). This shows that people lived in the area a very long time ago, back in Roman times.

In the Middle Ages, the area was ruled by England for a time. Gradignan was used as an outpost (a place to guard from) to help defend Bordeaux. In later centuries, the town became known for making wine.

Gradignan was also an important stop for pilgrims (religious travellers) walking the long route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. They could rest at the Cayac priory, a building run by monks that gave shelter to travellers.

Places to see

The Château de Laurenzanne, an old country house, is now used as the town hall (the main office of the local government). Other old sights include the Cayac priory and the Church of Saint Peter, which was built in the late 19th century.

References