Touring Luxembourg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Although small in geographic terms, Luxembourg has many interesting places to visit. This section looks first at the sites and attractions of Luxembourg City and then the outlying towns and villages. Always phone ahead, as many museums and attractions are open only part of the year.

Purchase a "Luxembourg Card" (www.ont.lu/card-en.html)for family and friends who visit year round. . The card is available for individuals and families for a one, two or three-day duration and covers admission to over forty attractions plus the use of public transport throughout the entire country. For more information contact:

Office National du Tourisme (ONT)
place de la Gare (at the central train station)
Luxembourg
Tel: 42 82 821
www.ont.lu or www.luxembourg.co.uk

Bus tours of the countryside are available through the ONT. Tickets may be purchased on the bus, at the gare (train station) information desk, the city tourist office at place d'Armes, or hotel lobbies.

Additional notes
Guy Binsfeld (www.editionguybinsfeld.lu) publishes a number of English-language guidebooks on Luxembourg (e.g., The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Tourist Guide), which are available at local bookstores and news stands.

The ONT publishes a monthly schedule of events in Luxembourg called L'Agenda du Luxembourg. Check the events schedule or sign up for a free subscription on-line (www.agendalux.lu)

Time Off, a publication by the British Ladies' Club of Luxembourg, is another excellent source of information on travel and leisure activities in the area.

Luxembourg City

The downtown tourist office offers information, maps, and guides (in English) on the attractions in Luxembourg City and the country as a whole. The Web site displays an interactive map of the city and lists the various tour options.

Syndicat d'lnitiative et de Tourisme
                                Ville de Luxembourg
                                place d'Armes
                               Tel: 22 28 09 
                                www.lcto.lu
Hours: April 1 through September 31, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. October 1 to March 31, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tours available through the tourist office:

City Tour: Two-hour trip by bus highlighting the railway station, the old town (Grund), the Casemates, the European Center and the banking district.

City Promenade: English- speaking guide provides a two- hour walking tour of Luxembourg, including the place d'Armes, the Comiche and the Grund.

Bock-Casemates an Archeological Crypt: As a guided tour or on your own. Explore these impressive casemates and discover why Luxembourg was known as the "Gibraltar of the North." A UNESCO world heritage site.

1000 Years in 100 Minutes - the Wenzel Circular Walk: A well-marked, self-guided cultural and historical walk through the old city of Luxembourg and its ancient fortifications.

Goethe Circular Walk: Two-hour, self-guided walk retracing the steps of the famous German author's stay in Luxembourg in 1792.

Tourist Train: - The Pétrusse Express is a mini train ride through the Pétrusse valley and the Grund. Headphones with commentary in English are provided. The train leaves at regular intervals from the place de la Constitution April 1 through October 31.

Beaufort

Tourist information: Tel: 83 60 99 301 
Beaufort is situated in the heart of the Mullerthal, also known as the  Petite Suisse Luxembourgeoise. In addition to the beautiful scenery and abundant walking trails you will find the ruins of a 12th century feudal castle, complete with torture chamber. Try the locally made black currant and raspberry liqueurs.  

Bourscheid castle

Tourist information: Tel: 99 05 64 
Situated high on a plateau between the rivers Sûre and Wark, the castle has wonderful views of the surrounding country.

Bourglinster

Tourist information: 78 78 78 
Events: The Château de Bourglinster hosts a concert series each year, see L'Agenda du Luxembourg (www.agendalux.lu) for the schedule. Hot-air ballooning is available in neighboring Junglinster (Tel: 78 90 751 ).

Clervaux

Tourist information: Tel: 92 00 72
                             
Clevaux' twelfth-century feudal castle contains three permanent exhibitions: models of ancient Luxembourg castles; souvenirs, documents and uniforms from World War II; and the "Family of Man" photo collection originally assembled for New York's Museum of Modern Art by Edward J. Steichen. A toy museum and the Bendictine Abbey of St. Maurice are located in the town. The abbey's Gregorian masses and vespers services, complete with chanting, are open to the public weekdays, 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with an additional service on Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 p.m. The abbey sells CDs of Gregorian changes by the local monks; religious objects and special coffee prepared by the monks are also available (cash only).   

Diekirch

Tourist information: Tel: 80 30 23 (www.diekirch.lu)
                            
The Musée National d'Histoire Militaire (www.luxembourg.co.uk/NMMH) contains exhibits and information on the Battle of the Bulge. The municipal museum has Roman mosaics. St. Laurent, a fifth-century church built on the foundations of a Roman villa, has a crypt equipped with a Roman heating system and ancient sarcophagi. Guided tours of the Diekirch brewery are available on request.

Scenic tour: Detailed narrative panels mark spots of interest along the Hoesdorf-Bettendorf circuit. The circuit can be started in Hoesdorf, Bettendorf, or Reisdorf and you can walk, bike, or drive it. You can also hire bikes or canoes or hike in the area.

Echternach

Tourist information: Tel: 72 02 30

Echternach is on the river Sûre on the German border. Just outside the town is a large boating lake. Visit the fifteenth-century town hall, the seventh-century Benedictine Abbey with its magnificent basilica, and the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, one of the oldest in the country.

Events:The town is best known for its unique centuries-old St. Willibrord Dancing Procession (Sprangprozessioun), held each Pentecost (Whit) Tuesday. During the summer months it hosts the International Festival of Classical Music (Tel: 72 83 47 or www.echternachfestival.lu)

Ehnen

Information: (www.luxembourg.co.uk/ehnen.html)

Ehnen is located on the Moselle River. Visit the Wine Museum open daily (except Monday) April 1 to October 31, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Esch-sur-Alzette

Tourist information: 54 73 83 246
Luxembourg's second largest city, Esch is known for its art nouveau and art deco architecture. The city hosts several cultural events in its theaters and at the Kulturfabrik (Culture Factory). Pick up an information brochure on the city's architecture at the town hall and take a walking tour of the city center. Visit the National Museum of the Resistance (World War II), the Municipal Theater and Art Gallery, and Galgenberg - a large outdoor recreation park with playgrounds, fountains, a waterfall, marked walking trails, and an animal park.

Esch-sur-Sûre

Tourist information: 89 91 121
A small picturesque village in the Ardennes  built at a horseshoe bend on the river Sûre. The castle ruins are permanently open. Visit the old candle factory with a factory shop and stop by the cloth-making museum where you can watch demonstrations. The nearby Lac de Haute Sûre provides opportunities for a variety of water sports.