Maxéville was an important fief during the Middle Ages, but it began to grow in the 19th century with the arrival of industrialisation and the creation of the famous Maxéville breweries. Today, a new district, coupled with an urban free zone, is being developed at Carrières Solvay, straddling Maxéville and Nancy.
This was also the location chosen for the Zénith arena. Built in 1993, it was the first facility of its kind in Europe to offer a reversible open-air stage. The enormous former Maxéville brewery is another major location in the town. It later became a store for Craffe wines, and has some significant Nancy School features (roof structure, woodwork and cellars).
Also worth seeing in Maxéville are the Jean Lamour stairs at the Château Bas (town hall), the Virgin and Child (Gothic statue from 1347) and the tapestries in Saint-Martin’s church.
Maxéville takes an unusual approach to fighting pollution: it has a brigade of mounted police and a horse-drawn tram pulled by four Comtois draft horses!
If you enjoy walking, head along the Chemin Stratégique from Chêne du Bon Dieu Forest to Champigneulles Forest.
