City Guide: Luxembourg City
Luxembourg’s quaint capital is a multi-storey city of high culture, hybrid dining and a festive, royal mood that will take you pleasantly by surprise.
12 October, 2017
- Words by
- Hannah Frances
If
If
your preconceptions of Luxembourg are of a pint-sized country
limited to wealthy financial institutions, Rolexes and suits, then
you will be surprised by the allure of its quaint capital, which is
a multi-storey city of high culture, hybrid dining and a festive,
royal mood.
Sandwiched between Belgium,
France and
Germany, the
petite country is smaller than most of our British home
counties, yet embodies the spirit and ideals of the EU. Indeed, the
Schengen agreement was signed here; the tiny wine-making village in
southeastern Luxembourg is synonymous with open borders and
mobility, chosen for its ideal location at the intersection of
three borders.
Luxembourg City is built upon a rocky plateau adjoined by many
bridges and viaducts: a perilous topography that has served it well
over the centuries as a natural fortress. Its romantic cobbled
streets, green parks and world-class museums occupy one of the most
unique urban settings in Europe.
The staggered vertical layers of the UNESCO-protected old town
are divided into two distinct areas. The lofty Ville Haute is home
to the city’s high street and main sights, and Ville Basse, or
Grund, is a leafy,
picturesque neighbourhood down in the gorge. The two are
connected by elevators (including a glass elevator with a
skywalk-style floor) and a steep, hairpin road. Additionally, there
is the bustling Gare district around the train station, and
Kirchberg – perhaps better known as Luxembourg’s European
headquarters being home to the European Commission, the European
Court of Auditors and the European Court of Justice.
Take note of the erudite locals flowing seamlessly between
French, German, English and Luxembourgish (a hybrid of German and
French) and adopt their enviable “joie de vivre” lifestyle – let’s
not forget, this is Europe’s wealthiest nation where luxury goods
jostle with Michelin stars and the locals certainly know how to
live well.
An
Insta-worthy destination for aesthetes, gourmands, linguists
and history buffs alike, Luxembourg is an enriching place that will
take you pleasantly by surprise.
hotel
Le Place d’Armes
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
hotel
Hotel Simoncini
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
hotel
Youth Hostel
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg