Luxembourg city hotels and sights

We have no specific recommendations, but here's a summary stolen from the Facebook page of a staff member who was just there: While not a top tourist destination, it is a nice place to spend a day or two. The city is a large banking center and home to several EU agencies, but it also has a beautiful old town, built on a ridge and surrounded by parks & green space. Lovely river walk. The city feels very French and has a great cafe culture with a lot of good restaurants and, of course, lots of French pastries.

Also check out info from the tourist office: http://www.visitluxembourg.com/en.

Lux City is divided into 2 areas, the Ville Basse (Lower City) and Ville Haute (Upper City). The casemates run around the Ville Haute and are a really fascinating part of Lux City's history. They are a series of underground passageways for citizens to hide in and troops to store supplies and even horses during the centuries of war - the casemates were first created in the 17th century and go all around the city, but only a small part is open to visitors today. They also encompass part of the 10th-century fortress which still stands today. Luxembourg was forced to destroy the fortress beyond usage in the 19th century to prevent any future military maneuvers here.

Also in the Ville Haute is the Palace of the Grand Dukes, which you can pass by on your walk around the civic buildings in this part of town. When the Grand Duke is at home, a flag is hung from one of the windows. There was no flag at the time I was there because he was vacationing in France.

On a winding street in this area is one of the oldest buildings in Luxembourg, dating back to the Middle Ages. Goethe stayed here while he visited the city. I don't know the name of the street but you may be able to find this information on the tourism website if you're interested.

You can tour the casemates and then walk down to the Ville Basse, where there are private gardens (owned by citizens) and the Centre de Recontre Cultural Abbaye de Neumuenster.

Stop in to see the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin

If you like art, check out the Museum of Modern Art. It's a distance from the city center so you'll have to take a bus or car.

I was there for a day and accomplished all of these things easily with time to spare. There are some really cool monasteries and churches scattered around the country (it's tiny - it only takes an hour to drive the length of it) so read up on some towns and take one or two day trips around the country.

As far as language, Luxembourg has its own language: Luxembourgish (or Letzeburgisch). Many citizens also speak French and German, as well as English. I stayed with a friend so I can't advise you about hotels, but I can tell you my friend (around age 30) speaks all 4 languages. Younger people may speak more of these than older people.

On my first two trips to Europe (2000 and 2001), I stopped in Luxembourg and really enjoyed it. We did the self-guided historical walk (I think it's the Wenzel walk), walked through the Petrusse Valley, and rented bikes in a nearby town. Luxembourg also mailed me gorgeous brochures that made me really want to go :) Hope you have a great time!

bobrupp,

In the burb of Hamm, is the American Military Cemetery from WWII. George S. Patton is buried there along with more than 5000 other who perished during the conflicts in that area. I have never been yet but I am making the a day trip there next month. Trip advisor has great directions to the cemetery. I am taking public transportation with a small walk at the end of the bus line. I am a big fan of the "Band of Brothers." I will try and post after I return. Have fun with your planning.
Judy