Cachan

Cachan is a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 6.7 km from the center of Paris.

The prestigious École Spéciale des Travaux Publics is located there.

Name
During the Middle Ages, Cachan was referred to in Medieval Latin texts as Caticantum, later corrupted into Cachentum, Cachant, and then Cachan. Some understand Caticantum as meaning "singing of the cat", "mewing of the cat", but this is not certain. Some others see a connection with the verb "to hunt" (captiare in Vulgar Latin, chacier in Old French).

History
Cachan was originally a hamlet within the commune of Arcueil, later renamed Arcueil-Cachan. The commune of Cachan was created on 26 December 1922 when it seceded from the commune of Arcueil-Cachan, which was renamed back to Arcueil.

Neighboring communes

 * Arcueil - north
 * Villejuif - east
 * L'Haÿ-les-Roses - southeast
 * Bourg-la-Reine - southwest
 * Bagneux - west

Transport
Cachan is served by two stations on Paris RER line B: Arcueil–Cachan and Bagneux.

Education
Primary schools:
 * Six public preschools (écoles maternelles): Belle Image, Carnot, Coteau, Paul-Doumer, La Plaine, and Pont-Royal
 * Five public elementaries: Belle Image, Carnot, Coteau, Paul-Doumer, La Plaine
 * One private preschool and elementary: École Saint-Joseph

Secondary schools:
 * Public junior high schools: Collège Victor-Hugo and Collège Paul-Bert
 * Private junior high: Collège Saint-Joseph
 * Public high schools/sixth-form colleges: Lycée Gustave Eiffel, Lycée Maximilien Sorre, Le foyer de Cachan