Luxembourg

Luxembourg (Lëtzebuerg in Luxembourgish, Luxembourg in French, Luxemburg in German) is 600,000 people country in the western part of Europe. It belongs to the European Union (EU) and it's surrounded by France, Belgium and Germany. The population has a mostly Catholic religious tradition; the official languages are Luxembourgish, French and German (although most of the people can speak fluent English). The official currency is the euro (€). The main city, and the capital city, of Luxembourg is Luxembourg City, with other important cities like Esch-sur-Alzette or Dudelange.


 

What can I visit in Luxembourg?

Here you have a list of places in Luxembourg that are worth to be seen. Check them out and find out the ones you want to visit:

History

Siefried I, first count of Luxembourg
The first inhabitants in current Luxembourg were established in the 35,000 years ago and decorated bones have been found in Oetrange. But the first evidence of civilisation is from the 5th millenium BC, with traces found in Grevenmacher or Diekirch. Then in the Iron Age it was inhabited by Celts (the Gaulish tribe and then Treveri) and then conquered by Julio Caesar for the Romans (first in the region of Gallia Celtica and then Gallia Belgica). During the 4th century Germanic Franks were infiltrated in the territory, becoming part of Merovingia Austrasia, then the Carolingian Empire (and with the Treaty of Verdun it fell to Lotharingia). With the division in 959 it fell to the Ducky of Upper Lorraine (in the Holy Roman Empire). The history of Luxembourg properly began with the construction of Luxembourg Castle by Siegfried I (count of Ardennes) who traded some of his ancestral lands with the monks of the Abbey of St. Maximin in Trier in 963. 
Albert VII and Isabella Clara Eugenia
During the Early Middle Ages and part of Renaissance the House of Luxembourg produced many archbishops, kings and emperors. Upon the death of Mary of Burgundy in 1482, her substantial possessions including the Burgundian Netherlands passed to her son, Philip the Handsome, becoming part of the territory of the House of Habsburg (but the territory was in dispute with the Electors of Brandenburg). In 1598 Philip II of Spain bequeathed Luxembourg to his daughter Isabella Clara Eugenia and her husband Albert VII, Archduke of Austria (going back to the old Luxembourg dynasty of the line of Elisabeth) but as he died childless, it went back to the Spanish king, Philip IV. In this period, after the war with France and the Treaty of the Pyrenees, the First-Partition of Luxembourg took place (losing the fortresses of Stenay, Thionville and Montmédy, and the surrounding territory). In 1684 Luxembourg was invaded by the French king Louis XIV (husband of Philip IV's daughter) and that caused the formation of the League of Augsburg and the French loss in the Nine Year's War, with Luxembourg going back to the House of Habsburg. It was confirmed by the Treaty of Utrecht and Luxembourg was integrated in Southern Netherlands (with Emperor Joseph and Charles IV).
Partition of Luxembourg
In the War of the First Coalition, Luxembourg was conquered and annexed by Revolutionary France, being part of département of the Forêts and remaining more or less under French rule until the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. In the Congress of Vienna Luxembourg Duchy was elevated to Grand Duchy and was received by the House of Orange with all the Low Countries but the Second Partition took place (losing Bitburg, Neuerburg, Sankt Vith, Schleiden, and Waxweiler). Though it was legally ruled by William I of the Netherlands, Luxembourg was military controlled by Prussia. By the Treaty of London in 1839, the status of the grand duchy became fully sovereign and in personal union to the king of the Netherlands but lost part of its territory in favour of Belgium (Arlon, Aubange, Bastogne, Durbuy, Marche-en-Famenne, Neufchâteau, and Virton) and was integrated it into the German Zollverein in 1842. In these years Luxembourg was considered a German state yet French influence was important. The crisis of 1867 almost caused a war between France and Prussia for Luxembourg but the issue was resolved by the second Treaty of London which guaranteed the perpetual independence and neutrality of the state. Luxembourg remained a possession of the kings of the Netherlands until the death of William III in 1890, when the grand duchy passed to the House of Nassau-Weilburg, Adolphe, the dispossessed Duke of Nassau. 
Images of the Battle of the Bulge
WW1 it was neutral but invaded by Germany from 1914 to 1918. In the interwar period Charlotte was the Grand Duchess and in 1921, Luxembourg entered into an economic and monetary union with Belgium (UEBL). In WW2 Luxembourg remained neutral again but was invaded again by Germany in 1940 (and the royal family had to exile), being occupated till 1942. That year there was an important general strike in the whole country which increased the already existing repression. U.S. forces liberated most of the country in 1944 but during the Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge), German troops took back most of northern Luxembourg for a few weeks (till January 1945). After WW2 Luxembourg abandoned neutrality and joined NATO, UN and was signatory of the Treaty of Rome (then becoming EEC and then EU) under the reigns of Charlotte, her son Jean and his son Henri. In the period after the war the economy changed a lot from an economy based on primary sector to one based in banking. In 1985 Luxembourgish was done official language of the country (reafirmating the country's independence) and in 1999 it started using the euro. Luxembourg has had two Presidents of the European Comission, Jacques Sarter and Jean-Claude Juncker.

Unforgettable experiences 

This places and experiences are a must if you want to discover and understand Luxembourg. This is my top 5:
Luxembourg City
  1. Luxembourg City: biggest Luxembourgish city and capital of the country, Luxembourg City is the main attraction of the country and there are many things for sightseeing. It's historical importance can be observed just by walking along the Chemin de la Corniche or exploring the Bock Casemites. It has also some interesting museums and, luckily, it isn't very touristic so you can enjoy it without many people (especially during the weekend, when business people go back to their places).
  2. Echternach: this small town in the German border has the only remaining Dancing procession in Europe, making it worth a visit just for that. But it also has the most important abbey in the country (Echternach Abbey), whose influence was huge. It's historic center is well-preserved and makes it a very beautiful town.
    3. Vianden
  3. Vianden: following Victor Hugo's way in Luxembourg we reach this small town where he lived some time. Together with a very nice castle and Victor Hugo's house-museum there are many other things to do in the town and surroundings.
  4. Moselle Valley: this valley which continues in Germany and France is perfect to enjoy the nature and taste the most famous wines in Luxembourg, crémant. But there are more things to explore in this valley like the well-known town of Schengen (famous for the EU treatment signed there) or enjoying the nearby spa town of Mondorf-les-Bains.
  5. Wiltz: this town is the entrance to Ardennes region and the town itself is pretty interesting with its castle and museums about brewery and tannery. In this area took place the batle of the Bulge and there are some museums about it. Near it can be found Clervaux, another interesting town, and some nature reserves like the Natural Reserve Our or the Natural Park of Upper-Sûre.

Planning your holidays

These are some possible journeys you may do in Luxembourg so visit parts of it or discover it all. Luxembourg's main sightseeing points can't be visited in less than 3 days and if you want to get deeper into Luxembourg, 5 days can be enough for it.

    a) 3 days tour

 This short journey in Luxembourg should start and finish in Luxembourg City. Here you could stay 1 day, enjoying its history and architecture. In beginning of the 2nd day you can go to Moselle Valley in the morning and enjoy this viticulture are and where the Schengen Treaty was signed. In the afternoon and evening Echternach can be a great choice and discover one of the most beautiful towns in the country thanks to its abbey. The 3rd and last day, arriving there soon, could be started in Vianden, a very charming town with an interesting castle where the writer Victor Hugo lived for some years, travelling later to Wiltz, to visit this town and enjoy the beauty of the Ardennes and the near town of Clervaux.

   b) 5 days tour

 This journey in Luxembourg should start and finish in Luxembourg City like the previous one, but not doing all in a hurry. In Luxembourg City you could stay 1.5 days, enjoying its history and architecture and enjoy the rest of the day Esch-sur-Alzette and visit it and Dudelange, coming back to Luxembourg City later to sleep. In the 3rd day you can go to Moselle Valley and enjoy this viticulture area and after lunch, travelling to Larochette to relax and recover some energy. The 4th day can start in the town of Echternach, one of the most beautiful towns in the country thanks to its abbey and then, after lunch, going to Diekirch for the rest of the day. The 5th day can start following Victor Hugo's steps to Vianden, a very charming town with an interesting castle; after this going to Wiltz, to visit this town and enjoy the beauty of the Ardennes and the near town of Clervaux.



 

How can I arrive and move within Luxembourg?

  Luxembourg is very well communicated with neightbouring countries such as France, Belgium and Germany, mainly via Luxembourg City. Luxembourg City is connected with most of the important destinations in the center of Europe. The best mean of transport to move in the country is the train but since February 2020 every national journey in public transportation is free (just have to pay for cross-border journeys and trains in 1st class).
    Train map of Luxembourg
  • Plane: there are international flights to Luxembourg City Findel Airport (the most important one in the country) from many European cities. Other nearby airports are located in Charleroi (Belgium) or Frankfurt am Main (Germany).
  • Train: Luxembourg's railway system is good, with Luxembourg City's train station as a hub where the lines radiate out in all directions. There are also trains to international destinations like Metz and Paris in France, Brussels in Belgium or Trier in Germany.
  • Bus: buses are less comfortable than trains and their frequence is more reduce, but it's still a good way to reach certain destinations. There are frequent buses from Luxembourg City to all the main cities and towns of the country and there are also connections among them (although less frequent). There are buses that link Luxembourg City with places such Liège, Brussels and Antwerp in Belgium; Metz, Nantes Strasbourg or Paris in France; Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Karlsruhe or Stuttgart in Germany or Rotterdam and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
  • Car: this is almost always the most comfortable way of moving for the lack of timetables to follow. It's required to have a green card (International Insurance Card). Most of the roads in Luxembourg are in very well conditions and driving in the country is easy. 

What can I eat and drink in Luxembourg?

Bounnesschlupp
Luxembourgish cuisine has a mixed influence of Latin and Germanic ones, specially influenced by French, German and Belgian cuisine (as well as recently by Portuguese and Italian one). Bouneschlupp (green bean soup with potatoes, bacon and onions) is considered the national dish and is usually used as starter; another important dish is judd mat gaardebounen (smoked collar of pork with broad beans). There are some dishes based in potato pancake like gromperekichelcher (spiced with onions and parsley) or tierteg (made of sauerkraut). There are many dishes with French influence like pâté, French pâtisseries, cake and fruit pies or hong am Rèisleck (similar to the French coq au Riesling).
Judd mat gaardebounen
Some other typical dishes are the Lëtzebuerger grillwurscht (spicy version of bratwurst), öennenzop (onion soup), huesenziwwi or civet de lièvre (jugged hare dish) and cancoillotte cheese. Some of the dishes with meat are träipen (Luxembourgish black pudding), Éisleker ham (marinated and smoked ham, usually served cold), Rieslingspaschtéit (meat pie prepared with Riesling wine and aspic), quenelle (liver dumplings with sauerkraut). Fish is also popular in the country, particulary trout, pike and crayfish; they are the base for f'rell am Rèisleck (trout in riesling sauce), hiecht mat kraiderzooss (pike with green sauce) or fritür (small Moselle fried fish with Moselle white wine).
Quetschentaart
In desserts the most popular one, and probably one of the most famous dish of the country is quetschentaart (open fruit tart with zwetschgen or damson plums). Some of them may have miel luxembourgeois (tasty Luxembourgish honey) and some others are verwurelter (small sugar-coated donuts), äppelklatzen (apples en croûte).
Talking about drinking, the most famous Luxembourgish drink is the wine (wäin), specially dry white one. They are usually produced in the Moselle Valley are and there are many varieties like riesling, rinot gris, pinot blanc, chardonnay, auxerrois, gewürztraminer, rivaner, elbling, Pinot noir and crémant de Luxembourg. The other important drink in the country is beer (béier), most of them lager, and the main brands are Bofferding, Mousel, Diekirch and Simon.

Learn some Luxembourgish
 
 Luxembourgish is one of the 3 oficial languages of Luxembourg and is currently spoken by 400,000 people aprox. Luxembourgish language is related to German, but visitors who speak French or German won't have problems of communication because they are co-ofical too. Luxembourgish is currently spoken by 50% of the population of Luxembourg but the most common language in the Grand Duchy is French. English is also widely known and used.
These are some basic words in Luxembourgish: 

LuxembourgishEnglishLuxembourgishEnglish
MoiemHelloWann ech gliftPlease
Wéi geet et dir?How are you?MerciThanks
ÄddiGoodbye!JoYes
Gudde MoienGood morningNeeNo
Gudde OwendGood eveningEch schwätzen Lëtzebuergesch netI don’t speak Luxembougish

Useful links

 In case you want to look for more information about Luxembourg (https://www.visitluxembourg.com/en) or its cities, towns and places, here there's a list with some pages to get it:

 
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