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Luxembourg Driving Trip Planner |
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Have fun driving in Luxembourg! |
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This driving trip planner has been especially written for Luxembourg. |
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Luxembourg may be small, but a week is necessary to discover the nuances and peculiarities of this bizarre duchy where French and German cultures blend.
The total territory is only 999 square miles yet the landscape is quite diverse. To the north you’ll find the richly wooded Ardennes and to the south flat, agricultural and wine-growing land. Several languages are spoken including the distinctive local blend of French and German. Luxembourg is a cinch for motorists as the furthest point in the duchy is little more than an hour’s drive from the capital.
Day 1-2
Arrive in Luxembourg City. Right away you’ll notice the enormous
fortifications, testament to the difficulty with which Luxembourg
defended its independence through the centuries. Only 10% of
original walls remain, and many of the beautiful parks stand in the
place of destroyed forts. You can only imagine the full extent of
the defenses. The town was originally constructed around Count
Sigefroi’s 10th century castle which availed of the 48 metre cliffs
of the site. 25 km of tunnels were dug into the rock below the town
to allow for secret movement of troops and supplies. Visit the
Palace of the Grand Dukes and check out the market at Place
Guillaume for bargains and local merchandise. Luxembourg City is a
fine culinary centre and boasts some of Europe’s best restaurants
including the famous Le Normandy. The city is also to the fore of
the European Union and is home to the European Court of Justice and
the European Council.
Day 3
Leave Luxembourg City and travel west on the N4 for about 20km. You are now in the celebrated ‘Valley of the Seven Castles’, one of Europe’s most spectacular concentrations of castles. The distances involved are not great and all seven castles may be explored in a day trip from Luxembourg City. However you may want to spend the night in one of the smaller towns you pass through. Steinfort is the entry point to the valley
and Koerich is the first of the eponymous castles. Septfontaines
follows, a 13th century castle set in a majestic position in the
surrounding village. Ansembourg holds two further castles, one from
the 12th and one the 17th century, while the dramatically situated
cliff top castle of Hollenfels dates from the 18th century.
Schoenfels and Mersch complete the picture, the latter of which also
boasts the remains of a Roman villa.
Day 4
The Ardennes are usually associated with France yet they stretch over the border to form the loveliest countryside in Luxembourg. This is a region of excellent inns with hearty food and unspoiled, rolling hills. Take the N15 north out of Luxembourg City and drive for 25km until you reach the exit for Ettelbruck. The north of the duchy was also the scene of one of the Second World War’s key moments, the Battle of the Bulge, and this town is home to the Patton Museum. Nearby Diekirch is a pleasant and ancient town,
tracing its roots back to Celtic times. A pre-historic dolmen is the
oldest site in town though the lovely church which dates back to the
7th century should take up more of your time. The Second World War
is in evidence again and the National Museum of Military History may
be the best around to find out about the Battle of the Bulge.
Day 5
Travel northwest on the N15 for some 20km until you reach the exit for Wiltz. A 150 metre cliff divides the
lower from the upper half of this spectacular village and the
setting, amongst beautiful hills and forests, is quite spellbinding.
Take a leisurely walk up to the old town or through the thick
forests of the Wiltz river valley and then relax with a local beer
or sample some of the fine food of the area. For historical interest
the 12th century castle houses a museum commemorating the Second
World War and the Niederwiltz Church contains some fine Renaissance
architecture. Travel a bit further north along the river valley to
Clervaux which has another fine castle and some lovely walks.
Day 6
Make your way back towards Luxembourg City and then take the N10 south to Echternach. The Moselle river
valley offers a very different sort of landscape from northern
Luxembourg. The flat banks of the broad river are home to some
fantastic wines and a leisurely day, indulging the many
opportunities to taste the local varieties, is extremely
pleasurable. The shores are alive with campers, boaters and
strollers and have an air of great leisure. Start at Echternach and
follow ‘the wine route’ south, passing through Wasserbillig,
Wormeldange, Remich and Mondorf-les-bains. Relax in a local bar or
make a tour of one of the many wine-cellars.
Day 7
Back to Luxembourg City. The trip should take little more than half
an hour, so there may be time for some last minute wine-shopping.
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