Located between France, Germany and Belgium, Luxembourg (82 km by 57 km) is no larger than half the size of the Hérault. But the Grand Duchy created in 1839 befits its name! Forget the cliché of a dull capital. Admittedly, Luxembourg City is home to European institutions such as the Court of Justice or the European Investment Bank and nearly 200 financial institutions, with the largest number of banks in the world. But it is first and foremost a delightful city whose fortifications bear witness to its coveted strategic position, its rich heritage and varied cultural activities.

During the day, the cross-border workers come to liven up the heart of the city (Ville Haute), which is frequented by 170 nationalities, a world record! The patchwork of buildings – neo-baroque, neo-Renaissance or Art Nouveau - guides the visitors' steps. It is impossible to get lost even if the Germanic language Luxembourgish is spoken in the streets. Because everyone here also speaks French, another official language. 

Between the Places d'Armes and William II squares, or along Grande Rue, chic fashion boutiques invite you to max out your credit card. When evening falls, the heart of the city pulsates to the rhythm of the 120,000 inhabitants with strong purchasing power who enjoy the theatre culture, hang out in the trendy bars that are as good as any in London or Berlin, or tickle their taste buds in the stylish restaurants; for example, in the "gastronomic island" that has some of the best addresses in town. 

There are plenty of amazing things to see when you explore Ville Haute, which hosts some emblematic monuments, from the ducal palace to Notre-Dame Cathedral; not to mention a multitude of museums of international renown for those wishing to cultivate themselves without the risk of getting bored. The setting of the path to the Corniche is bucolic, along the ramparts with romantic views of the citadel, and the pretty walled lower town. 

Enjoy getting lost in the picturesque districts of Grund and Clausen, along the meandering Alzette River, and savour the pleasure of sitting outside at a sidewalk café. Make sure you visit the casemates (or underground passages), evidence of the ancient fortifications surrounding Luxembourg City; to the extent that in the 18th century, it was nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the North"!  Round off your discovery with Kirchberg plateau, seat of the European institutions and a Mecca for contemporary urban planning, with the Philharmonic, for instance,  designed by the architect Christian de Portzamparc.

Sites and monuments

• The Cathedral of Notre-Dame du Luxembourg, a late Gothic masterpiece with flamboyant stained-glass windows. Its crypt houses the tombs of the ducal family.
• The Grand Ducal Palace in the Flemish Renaissance style, built in the 16th century and inhabited by Grand Duke Henri, the country's sovereign.
• The vast casemates of the Bock and Pétrusse, listed as UNESCO heritage sites and bearing witness to the fortifications that surrounded the city.
• The Benedictine Abbey of Neumünster, dating from the 17th century, has now been transformed into a cultural centre.
• The Kirchberg plateau, with its European institutions but also the military cemeteries of German and American soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge.
• At the gates of the city, the Château de Bourglinster, which hosts festivals and concerts.

Museums

• In addition to the works on display, the Mudam Museum of Modern Art owes its success to the glass roof designed by Pei (architect of the Louvre Pyramid).
• Located in the patrician houses of the old town, the Luxembourg City History Museum immerses you in the thousand-year history of the City of Luxembourg.
• The Bank Museum presents collections of banknotes and coins in the former buildings of the Bank and Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat.
• Renovated in 2016, the National Museum of Natural History, housed in Saint John’s Hospice, entertains children and adults alike, with its stuffed animals and rich collection of minerals.
• From archaeology to popular traditions and the industrial era, the National Museum of History and Art offers an exquisite journey back in time...

Parks

• Above the city, the Kirchberg plateau is home to a spacious park created by the landscape architect Peter Latz, an ideal place for a breath of fresh air.

• February-March: Carnival, with parades, cavalcades and masked balls that bring the towns and villages to life.
• April (Easter Monday): Emaischen, a popular festival with a large market (handicrafts, ceramics...).
• May: broom festival in the town of Wiltz (in the north of the country), at a time when the hills are bright with yellow flowers. 
• May: dancing procession of Echternach (on the German border), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.   
• June 23rd: National holiday. Changing of the guard in front of the palace and fireworks on the 22nd. On the 23rd, the celebration continues with a Te Deum at the cathedral and 101 cannon shots.
• December 6: Saint Nicolas (or Niklosdaag), with the procession of the patron saint in the streets, accompanied by the Houseker, his dark companion.

• To the south-east, towards the French and German borders, build up your strength in the spa town of Mondorf-les-Bains before breaking the bank at the casino. 
• Along the Moselle (south-east), Machtum is a delightful winegrowing village. Other must-see attractions: the wine museum in Ehnen, and the city of Schengen, made famous by the European agreements signed in 1985.
• In the southwest, the former blast furnaces and steel factories of the Red Lands have been transformed into a hub of science and cultural centres, as in Font-de-Gras or Esch-sur-Alzette. And the former Cockerill mine can be visited, following in the footsteps of former miners. 
• You can hike on the marked trails of the Haute Sûre and Our natural parks to the north of the country (Ardennes). To be combined with a visit to the villages (Vianden, Wiltz, Clervaux or Esch-sur-Sûre) with their massive medieval castles.  

Dishes

• Judd Mat Gaardebounen - smoked pork loin, served with beans.
• Kuddelfleck - considered as the national dish, composed of tripe.
• Stäerzelen – exquisite, tasty smoked bacon and buckwheat dumplings
• Kriepsen - from Luxembourg-style crayfish

Dessert

• Quetschentaart - a delicious damson plum tart for dessert

Drinks*

• The Moselle vineyard produces wines with fine aromas.
• Beer is the everyday drink. In addition to microbreweries, Luxembourg Brewery, founded in 1871, produces Diekirch, Leffe and Stella-Artois. 
• Luxembourg is home to several natural springs with healing properties, such as Beckerich or Rosport.

* l'abus d'alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération

• Luxembourg Tourist Office 
• Luxembourg Airport
• Luxembourgish Ambassy in France
• French Ambassy in Luxembourg