Bruges (; ) is a commune in the French department of Gironde, region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine (formerly Aquitaine), southwestern France. It is located north of Bordeaux. Toponymy The homography with Bruges (Belgium) is purely coincidental. The place-name comes from Gasconic bruche, with a plural -s meaning "bushes", "scrubs". Population Personalities Anthony Moura-Komenan footballer Mathieu Valbuena footballer, currently playing for Olympiacos FC See also Communes of the Gironde department References Communes of Gironde