Located in the extreme south-west of the country, the municipality of Pétange has the particularity of being part of a cross-border conurbation, that of the European Development Pole (PED). The municipality is located at the junction of three countries: the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Belgium and France. This is a strategic location, but it also has some disadvantages.

Composed of the localities of Pétange, Rodange and Lamadelaine, the municipality covers an area of almost 12 km². With almost 20,000 inhabitants, the municipality of Pétange is the fifth most populated municipality in the country. Its population has been gradually increasing in recent years. The population is relatively young and is now composed of a slight majority of Luxembourgers. However, the municipality is home to around one hundred different nationalities.

Connections with the main metropolises

Among the assets of the municipality, Pierre Mellina, its mayor, points out " good connections with Luxembourg City thanks to the trains. There is a good frequency with two tracks since 2012. There are also trains and TICE buses to Esch-sur-Alzette ". The municipality, with its three stations, allows the inhabitants, but also the border workers, to quickly reach these cities. To reinforce this mobility, Rodange station will soon be renovated. " This is a major project that will last three years and will start this year. We will renovate the station and create a 1,600-space Park & Ride. "

As the starting point of the A13 motorway (southern collector) and due to its proximity to Belgium and France, the municipality is subject to heavy traffic, particularly lorries that come en masse to fill up with petrol. " We have a problem with trucks at the border. They pass through the Avenue de l'Europe and their number is increasing. There is no petrol station on the road between the Belgian and French borders and the German border. The lorries then leave at Rodange or Schengen, but the problem is smaller there. Before, the problem was every Wednesday. Now it is almost every day ". The municipality is working to solve this problem. " We have found a location and an investor for a truck gas station, but we are still waiting for state permits. "Another project under consideration to relieve traffic at the Europe roundabout is to create a tunnel to France and an exit ramp to Belgium.

Accessible housing

The municipality can also count on the price of its housing among its assets. " If you want to settle here, you should know that the prices are still acceptable. A lot of housing is being built. We have projects for housing in residences but also for single-family houses. There are 100 single-family houses to be built in Lamadelaine "The mayor emphasises.

In order to maintain a village character and preserve nature, the housing is concentrated in the centre of the town. " They are composed of 55 % of houses and 45 % of residential units. We have amended the GAP to allow for the possibility in some neighbourhoods to create only single-family houses. Residences are still accepted in the centre. "

Major investments in infrastructure

In the municipality, it is possible to practice almost all sports, both team and individual. " We have invested a lot in infrastructure. For example, there is the National Bowling and Tennis Centre "says Pierre Mellina. The municipality of Pétange is indeed not left behind in terms of sports infrastructure. In addition to the PIKO swimming pool, which is particularly popular in the summer, the Rodange sports hall, the Bim Diederich sports centre in Pétange and the beach volleyball court in Lamadelaine all welcome sportsmen and women.

Culture has not been forgotten, as the municipality is planning to build a new music school. " The school will have an auditorium and an underground car park. Work will start this year ".

Finally, the already well-supplied school offer will be further expanded with the creation of a new school and a halfway house in Lamadelaine and in Pétange. This is necessary in order to meet the ever-increasing demand. The Mathias Adam technical school, the largest in Luxembourg in terms of student population, will have a brand new building.

Developing trade

The municipality is also banking on trade. With the Grand-Bis project, a regional economic zone should be created in Petange. " This zone should accommodate craft businesses. Fifty plots are planned, there is demand "says the mayor. New firms are expected to set up in the PED, as well as in the vicinity of Rodange station, where a project with new shops and housing is being studied.

A history linked to the steel industry

The history of the town and its growth are closely linked to the steel industry. The Fond de Gras, a tourist attraction in Pétange, brings back to life for inhabitants and tourists this industrial era marked by mining activity. A change of scenery is guaranteed! The Minett Park, an industrial, natural and railway park, is home to a small miner's museum. Another key attraction is the 1900 train, which takes visitors on a journey along the old industrial line in period wagons. Visitors can also enter an old mine on board the mining train. As for the Titelberg Oppidum, the only one in Luxembourg, it takes you back to the Celtic era and its remains. Finally, the WAX site, located on the site of the old mill, is an essential socio-cultural meeting point. It includes a tourist reception centre, a museum and an auditorium.

Nature lovers can discover the Prënzenbierg nature reserve and the beauty of the landscape on the Poets' Trail.