Revised by Michael J. Meese
1/12/08

Often overlooked, Luxembourg and it’s 1000 year-old capitol, Luxembourg City, are a must see. They boast grand castles, fortresses, a thousand years of recorded history, museums, culture, entertainment and superb scenery. With the drive being relatively short, Luxembourg should be visited, even if for only for the day.

Luxembourg, a 50 mile (north-south) by 35 mile (east-west), landlocked area became an independent state on May 11, 1867. Luxembourg’s currency is the European Euro. Because Luxembourg lies at the heart of the European landmass, numerous languages, such as French, German, Letzebuergesch, and English, are spoken. When making an international call to Luxembourg, use the prefix 352 followed by the local number. There are no city codes. While visiting Luxembourg, Americans must possess a valid passport, and should own an International Driver’s License. For more information about the country of Luxembourg, contact the Luxembourg National Tourist Office at www.visitluxembourg.com or www.ont.lu. 112 is the emergency phone number for the entire country.

Luxembourg City, located on a steep-sided plateau, towers over the lush valleys of the Alzette and Petrusse rivers. The city’s origins are attributed to Ancient Romans, who once used the area as a crossroads, and Count Siegfried of the Ardennes, who in AD 963 built a castle on the Bock above the Alzette River. 900 years of heavy fortification earned Luxembourg City its nickname, “Gibraltar of the North.”

Transportation to Luxembourg City is readily available via plane, train or auto. Lux Air is the main service at Findel International Airport, located 6km from the city. Lux Air often has last minute deals and specials, which can be found at www.luxair.lu. Train schedules and information can be obtained at Gare Centrale, the city’s train station, or at www.cfl.lu. Driving time to Luxembourg City can vary greatly depending on the type of road traveled. The following time and mileage estimates to Luxembourg City were calculated utilizing the autobahns as much as possible. It takes approximately 2 1/2 hours, 153 miles, from Heidelberg; 3 hours, 179 miles, from Frankfurt; 3 1/2 hours, 178 miles, from Wuerzburg; 1 hour, 46 miles, from Spangdahlem; and 1 3/4 hours, 100 miles, from Kaiserslautern.

When you do arrive in the city, follow the signs to the Ville. I highly recommended that you obtain a city map, if not already in possession of one. Maps can be obtained at the tourist information office, phone number 352-22-28-09, at the Palais Municipal (City Palace) located in the Ville (old) section of the city. There is also a tourist office, phone number 352-82-82-1, in the Gare Centrale, train station, located in the Gare (modern) section of the city. At the tourist office you can make reservations for a guided tour, obtain information about current events, or purchase the Luxembourg Card. The card is good for free entry or discounts to numerous museums and attractions. It is also good for free use of the city buses. While the buses are the only public transportation in the city, they are extremely reliable and user friendly.

The city is divided into 2 sections, the Ville (old section) and the Gare (modern section). You will want to focus on the Ville, where you will find most of the historical buildings, sites and museums. The Musee D’Histoire De La Ville De Luxembourg (Museum of the History of the City of Luxembourg), the Palais Grand Ducal (Ducal Palace, the home of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and his family), the Musee National D’Histoire Naturelle (National Museum of Natural History) and the Cathedrale Notre-Dame (contains the burial chamber for the Grand Ducal family) are all located on the eastern side of the Ville. The famous Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge (the Red Bridge) is visible from the viewpoint of the Bock also located in the eastern Ville. The Grand Rue (the main shopping street) and the Villa Vauban (Municipal Art Gallery) are located in the western Ville. Most shops, restaurants and museums are closed on Mondays.

The highlights of the Ville are the views looking down and over the river valleys. If you feel ambitious, there are even stairs leading down to the rivers and villages, but remember you have to climb back up. If visiting Luxembourg City during the summer, be sure not to miss the Casemates. The Casemate du Bock and the Casemate de le Petrusse are a series of tunnels, stairways and chambers hollowed out of the Petrusse and Alzette gorges during the 17th and 18th centuries. Originally measuring at over 14 miles, 10 miles survive today. The network of Casemates were large enough to accommodate thousands of soldiers, their horses and various garrison services ranging from bakeries to workshops. To set up a guided tour, contact the Casemate de la Petrusse at 352-22-28-09.

If you have time and are interested in seeing more of Luxembourg, a short side trip, 48 miles north, to Ettelbruck is highly rewarding. Ettelbruck is home to a monument to General George Patton and a Patton Museum commemorating World War II’s Battle of the Bulge.

Location, location, location! If you are in Germany, you are in a prime location to travel from, explore and experience different cultures. Be safe and enjoy your discoveries!