Day Trip to Luxembourg City from Paris
Just four days were left to leave Europe and we had to exit Paris, France towards Frankfurt, Germany. The route map was drawn with a halt at Reims and Strasbourg. Luxembourg would be a diversion from the route. It looked so near.
My daughters insisted we take the diversion to Luxembourg. It would increase the count of countries visited from 13 to 14. They didn’t want to stop at unlucky 13! Ah! Some reasoning there! Arunabha (my husband) very willingly obliged.
Luxembourg is about 3.6 times bigger than Singapore. Like Singapore, the city and the country has the same name. It will definitely take a week to see it all with meticulous planning.
Grand Duc in City Center
We had just two hours to spare to tour the city; we set the GPS to Luxembourg City. 371kms, four hours drive, we halted at Reims for some time, we then reached Luxembourg City at around one. Reaching the city and finding a parking slot was hassle free.
This was totally unplanned; hence we were not sure where to start from. Luxembourg is counted among the world’s three richest countries. After touring Paris and some spots in the outskirts of Paris for five days I was not sure what to expect from Luxembourg.
*This post is based on my tour of Luxembourg for just 2 hours.
Grand Ducal Palace
The first place we halted was the ‘Palace of Grand Dukes’ (Groussherzogleche Palais). It is rated as must-see landmark in Luxembourg City. The Grand Ducal family resides here. It is a 16th century structure recently restored. During the years 1572 to 1795, this was the city’s original City Hall.
Guard here was marching to and fro undisturbed by the tourists chatting and clicking around him. We hung around the palace for some time hoping to see a royal family member, but nobody came out to wave at us from the palace windows.
The palace is the full-time home of the Duke. However if you are keen to take a peek at the interior of the palace, plan a visit any time between mid-July to the first week of September. Several guided tours in different languages are available. You can get the tickets from the Luxembourg City Tourist Office from their office in Place Guillaume II.
Grund, Centre of Luxembourg City
I am glad we visited the prettiest neighborhood as we walked around during our day trip to Luxembourg. All tourists seemed to take this pretty cobblestoned path. We followed the path that went by the river, down over the Stierchen Bridge and then back up the other side. It is a very photogenic street, like walking a dream.
Stepping on Grund, centre of Luxembourg City, we found the area flooded with stalls. We had a quick bite here, glad that we didn’t have to search for a restaurant.
Cathedral Notre Dame, Luxembourg
Cathedral Notre Dame had very impressive structures. It is a 17th century Jesuit Church. The church is surrounded by modern structures and I found it difficult to get a good picture of the façade. The ceiling was painted so beautifully, so different from other cathedrals I have seen.
Ceiling of Cathedral Notre Dame Interior Luxembourg
Stained glass window Cathedral Notre Dame
Location: Luxembourg is a beautiful country located in the heart of Europe, bordering France, Germany and Belgium. It’s easy to make a day trip to Luxembourg by car or public transport.
Though the public transportation of Luxembourg, which includes trams, buses, trains and even the funicular, is completely free to travel on we chose to walk, simply wander around the old town. We walked along the cobbled streets of the Old Town, the Chemin de la Corniche, often described as Europe’s ‘most beautiful balcony’.
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Classic clicks….
have more fun. nice read.
beautiful shots, wish could be there right now
Amazing is what I can say about your travel
Superb pictures..
Your blog is always an adventure. Thanks for this post.
Even though it is a tiny country, it has its own identity! I remember when we visited after our 4 year stay in the US, it as beautiful! The cathedral is out of this world:)
Hello!
Nice post. Great pictures.
Temple N.M.P. is very beautiful inside and patron of the city of Luxembourg.
I send greetings.
Lucia
With only two hours to tour the city I think you made the right choice to see the old city. But two hours is definitely NOT long enough, I'm sure. 🙂
Wonderful tour!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
I like Luxemburg especially the town, it's not so far from here and we can go there in the morning and coming back in the afternoon.
I love the excitement of the unplanned trip. Your children were quite right in persuading you to visit.
Well worth an extra stop and to add an extra country to your growing list. The cathedral is beautiful and your photos are lovely. Thanks for sharing your tour.
Beautiful, Indrani!!!! I recently got a postcard from Luxembourg city and seeing it made me want to go there.. and now the yearning just grows stronger with your photoblog!
Nice trip and good photos
thanks
What a fun trip!
How interesting.
Looks like country number 14 was very nice.
An Arkies Musings
Love these shots – what a nice diversion…
I'm glad you made this stop and got these wonderful pictures to share with us. Both the palace and the cathedral are very imposing structures.
What a good trip!:-)
Aloha
Wonderful shots. Looks like a great trip.
I agree, it is always fun traveling with you, Indrani!! Wonderful captures for the day! Hope you have a great week!
It is always a lot of fun traveling with you. Great photos!
Very nice series!
Greetings from the Netherlands,
DzjieDzjee