Luxembourg Sights and Landmarks Guide, Luxembourg

Luxembourg, Small, but Spectacular!

 

Luxembourg is a small country but it has a wealth of tourist attractions to suit every taste.  Whether a historian, a nature lover, or a city slicker you will find a plethora of places to go and things to do in Luxembourg.

 History and Architecture  

Europe is famous for its castles and grand architecture and Luxembourg has its fair share of beautiful buildings.  The Grand Ducal Palace, being the official home of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg is perhaps the most prominent historical structure.  However, the Chateau of the Counts of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg City is equally worthy of a visit!  The Casemates, also in Luxembourg’s  capital city, is a maze of underground passageways which were built as a defence network for the country.  The first passage was built in 1644 and while modern building work has demolished much of the original labyrinth there is still 17km left to be explored.  This is really a ‘not-to-be-missed’ location!

 Luxembourg hosts the US Military Cemetery, home to the graves of 5,000 American servicemen who died in the second world war.  The cemetery is a few miles east of Luxembourg city.  The men were buried side-by-side, with no division of rank or class.  The only exception to this is the grave of General George Patton.  Ironically, the general died in a road accident the day before he was due to return  home to the United States.  

Sights and Scenery

 A visit to Luxembourg would not be complete without a tour of the Eisch Valley.  Almost like a two-for-one offer, this beautiful scenic route is also known as the Valley of the Seven Castles.  Situated north-west of Luxembourg City, this route wends its way through some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe, taking in beautiful buildings and ancient ruins en route.  In this part of Luxembourg there is no shortage of places to stay ranging from top-class hotels to quaint, country inns.  

Luxembourg boasts well maintained roads and thoroughfares, but if you want a rest from driving you can opt to take a train ride on the Petrusse Express.  This open-air train departs from under the arches at Pont Adolphe viaduct in Luxembourg city and offers frequent guided tours in a number of different languages.  This is an excellent way of seeing some of Luxembourg’s beautiful countryside and places of historic interest.

 Arts and Culture

Luxembourg’s National Museum of Art and History is situated in the Marche-aux-Poissons in Luxembourg City.  It has a range of archaeological, historical, and geological exhibits but its main attraction is the magnificent Bentinek-Thyssen Collection.  This is a display of artwork by 15th to 18th century artists and boasts such renowned painters as Rubens, Rembrandt, Breughal, and Van Dyck, to name but a few.

Giftware

 Luxembourg’s busy town of Septfontaines is home to Villeroy & Bosch’s crystal factories.  Visitors can be the beautifully crafted porcelain and crystal.  If visiting in August, pay a visit to the exhibition of regional Nospelt pottery which lasts for two weeks.

 Luxembourg, this little landlocked country in northwest Europe is a diverse and interesting place to visit.  If you are planning on taking the ‘Grand Tour’ Luxembourg and its many sites should definitely be on your itinerary.