Inhabitants are called Porsuavitains (from the Latin version of Poussay, Portus Suavis).
Geography
The commune is positioned on the plain that adjoins the Vosges. The countryside is diverse, combining a large number of residual hillocks with the valley of the River Madon. The village itself is sited on a raised shelf on the left bank of the river in the Madon valley, 2 kilometres (1 mi) to the north of Mirecourt. It overlooks a meandering section of river set in a richly watered arboreal tapestry of that includes willowhedges, poplars and alder.
History
It was in the village, dominating from its limestone outcrop the Madon Valley, and also positioned across the old road from Nancy, that the great essayist Montaigne stayed around 1580 before he proceeded to Plombières en route for Italy.
Poussay has a rich history and each epoch has left traces, such as the ancient Roman road and the Merovingian era cemetery.
In 1598, with the energetic support of the curé of nearby Mattaincourt, Peter Fourier (who was later canonised) and thanks to Catherine of Fresnel and Judith of Aspremont, two cannonesses of the Poussay Chapter, the village welcomed its first girls' school 'for rich and poor girls alike' ('tant pauvres que riches'). The Blessed Alix Le Clerc and her colleagues imparted the necessary elements of a good education to young girls: this initiative inspired the establishment of a network of similar schools across Lorraine.
