Manège vs. carrousel
This article explains the differences between the French words 'manège' and 'carrousel', both of which can translate to 'carousel' or 'merry-go-round'.
Manège
'Manège' primarily refers to a small amusement ride, such as a kids' merry-go-round or a small carousel at a local fair. It can also mean 'manege', referring to an area for horse training or riding.
Les enfants adorent monter sur le manège pendant la fête foraine.
(Children love riding the merry-go-round during the funfair.)
Ce manège est réservé aux enfants âgés de moins de 12 ans.
(This carousel is reserved for children under 12 years old.)
Il s'entraîne au manège pour préparer son concours de dressage.
(He trains at the manege to prepare for his dressage competition.)
Carrousel
'Carrousel' tends to refer to larger, more elaborate carousels often found in amusement parks. It’s also used metaphorically to describe a rotating mechanism, like a baggage carousel at an airport.
Le carrousel du parc d'attractions est immense et encore plus magnifique la nuit avec toutes ses lumières.
(The amusement park's carousel is huge and even more magnificent at night with all its lights.)
Nous avons attendu nos valises près du carrousel des bagages pendant une heure.
(We waited for our bags near the baggage carousel for an hour.)
Les chevaux en bois sur le carrousel tournaient au son de la musique traditionnelle.
(The wooden horses on the carousel turned to the sound of traditional music.)
Summary
To summarize, 'manège' usually refers to smaller or more local rides, and can also mean an area for horse training (manege), while 'carrousel' is often used for larger, more elaborate rides and can denote rotating mechanisms like baggage carousels at airports.