Le Bouscat is one of the oldest municipalities in the Gironde department in southwestern France. It is located on the right bank of the Garonne River, some 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Bordeaux. The town has a long and varied history, dating back to the Gallo-Roman period. The first mention of Le Bouscat appeared in a document from the year 770. The town was important during the Middle Ages, and its fortifications were rebuilt in the 13th century. In the 17th century, the town was sacked by the troops of Louis XIV. The 18th century saw the town's decline, but it revived in the 19th century with the arrival of the railway. Today, Le Bouscat is a prosperous suburb of Bordeaux, with a population of some 20,000. The town is home to several large industrial parks, as well as a golf course and a racecourse.
