Pétange

Pétange is a commune and town in south-western Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Esch-sur-Alzette and is the fifth-most populous commune in Luxembourg, though it does not have town status. Pétange is located near the borders with both Belgium and France.

As of 2025, the town of Pétange has a population of 10,086. Other towns within the commune include Lamadelaine and Rodange. Despite being one of the smallest communes of Luxembourg, it is also the fifth-most populous and the most-populous commune without city status.

History

The modern settlement of Pétange was first mentioned in 938 under the name 'Perdgitten'. For many years, it remained a small place with only about 25 people living there in 1536.

In 1601, the border between Luxembourg and the Duchy of Lorraine was set for the first time. Pétange became part of Luxembourg, while nearby towns stayed on the other side of the border.

Later, in 1795, when Luxembourg was part of Revolutionary France, the area's borders were set as they are today. The town's importance grew in the late 1800s because of the iron-mining and steel industries. The first railway came to Pétange in 1873, connecting it to Esch-sur-Alzette, and more lines were added later.

In 1944, during the Second World War, Pétange was the first town in the country to be freed from German occupation by Allied soldiers.

On August 9, 2019, a rare and powerful tornado struck the town. Many buildings were damaged, and several people were hurt, but everyone received care and support.

Geography

Pétange is located in the far south-west part of Luxembourg. It shares borders with both France and Belgium. The nearby town of Rodange is just across the border from the Belgian town of Aubange.

The town is found at the western edge of an area known as the Red Lands, which contains iron-rich rocks. Pétange is one of the smaller communes in Luxembourg, covering just 12 square kilometres (5 sq mi). It is home to three important towns: Pétange itself, Rodange, and Lamadelaine.

Population

Pétange is a town in Luxembourg that has grown over the years. You can see how many people lived there in different years, and the numbers are shown in a table.

Attractions

The southern part of Pétange is home to Titelberg, a big hill with the ruins of an ancient Celtic settlement. This old hill fort was very large and had up to 10,000 people before the Romans arrived.

Pétange holds the biggest pre-Lenten Karneval celebration in Luxembourg. Every year, around 1,200 people join in a fun parade called "Karneval Gemeng Péiteng" or Kagepe.

There is also a special heritage railway and museum called Fond de Gras that shows what life was like in 1900. Two steam trains take visitors to nearby towns, bringing many tourists in the summer.

Pétange has a football team named Union Titus Pétange, which plays in Luxembourg's top league. The team was started in 1910 and has won the Luxembourg Cup once, in the 2004–05 season.

Sports

Pétange has a football club called Union Titus Pétange.

Notable people

• Michel Rasquin (1899–1958), a Luxembourgish journalist, politician, and European Commissioner
• Germaine Simon (1921 in Paris – 2012), a Luxembourgish physician and writer, went to local primary school
• Michel Scheuer (1927 in Rodange – 2015), a West German sprint canoeist, gold and bronze medallist at the 1956 Summer Olympics
• Germaine Damar (born 1929), a Luxembourgish actress and dancer
• Charles Kohl (1929 in Rodange - 2016), a sculptor, painter, and lecturer
• Jean-Marie Halsdorf (born 1957 in Luxembourg City), a Luxembourgish politician & Minister for Defence; became Mayor of Pétange in 2000
• Pol Cruchten (1963–2019), a Luxembourgish film director and producer
• Claude Meisch (born 1971), a Luxembourgish politician, Minister of National Education since 2013
• Tessy Antony de Nassau (born 1985), a Luxembourgish businesswoman and non-profit executive; former Royal: went to a local technical high school

Twin towns — sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Luxembourg

Pétange has friendly partnerships with cities in other countries. These partnerships are called "twin towns" or "sister cities." Pétange is partnered with:

• [Maribor], Slovenia
• [Schiffweiler], Germany
• [Schio], Italy