Things to see and do The Eislek Ardennes

While this museum presents the history of Luxembourg's armed forces from their creation to the present day, it also invites visitors to reflect on the events of the Second World War. And mainly to the Battle of the Bulge, which took place in the winter of 1944-1945. The centrepiece of this museum is undoubtedly the reconstruction of the crossing of the river Sûre near Diekirch on 18 January 1945 by units of the 5th U.S. infantry division.

Taking place inside the Château de Clervaux, this exhibition presents an exceptional collection of 22 1:100 scale models of ancient Luxembourg castles and a diorama of Clervaux at 1:35 scale. The works are accompanied by sound and visual information to plunge the visitor into another time. Of the 109 castles listed in the Middle Ages, 76 of them are still there, either in ruins or magnificently restored.

Located in the heart of the town, this feudal castle was founded in the 12th^century by the Counts of Clervaux, who first enlarged it in the 13th^century . At the beginning of the 15th^century , to protect the southern flank, Frederick ^I had the enormous Burgundy Tower built. In 1634, Count Claude de Lannoy ordered the construction of reception halls in the northern part, including the Spanish-Flemish Salle des Chevaliers. Barns, stables and administrative buildings were added by Albert Eugène de Lannoy in 1660 and, almost ten years later, the concierge's quarters (now occupied by a restaurant). In 1721, new stables were added to the complex. But in 1887, Albert Eugène de Lannoy's work was demolished and the stones reused to build a seigniorial residence for the Count of Berlaymont. The château was set on fire during the Battle of the Bulge and remains in ruins. At the end of the war, it became the property of the State, which undertook its restoration. Today, it houses the Clervaux town hall and several museums: the Luxembourg Castle Model Exhibition, the Battle of the Bulge Museum, featuring weapons and memorabilia from the Ardennes offensive (1944-1945), and the UNESCO World Heritage photographic exhibition "The Family of Man" by Edward Steichen.

Count Gérard de Sponheim: brother of the Count of Vianden, the Count of Sponheim was the first to appear in written texts dating back to 1129.

Count Simon de Clairval : in 1157, the count became head of the castle. His name (de Clairval) clearly evokes the Clervaux appellation.

The Meysembourg dynasty (1315-1406).

The Brandenbourg d ynasty (1406-1538).

The Heu dynasty (1538-1567): originally from Metz, they ruled over Clervaux castle until the middle of the ^16th century, before the arrival of the Lords of Eltz.

The Comtes de Lannoy (1631-1874): for almost two centuries, the Comtes de Lannoy, a powerful family from the Spanish Netherlands, watched over Clervaux.

Count Adrien de Berlaymont: in 1888, Count Adriende Berlaymont reclaimed the castle as a seigniorial residence, but unfortunately ended up abandoning this function, leaving the castle in a sad state of neglect. In 1894, he sold the Clervaux archives to the city of Metz, which fortunately retained them. When he died in 1914, his heir, heavily in debt, was unable to ensure the succession of such a fine estate begun in the ^12th century. Thus ended the line of the Lords of Clervaux.

Erected between 1908 and 1910 by Dutch architect JF Klomp and restored in 1945-1946, this magnificent Benedictine abbey, set back high above the town, can be seen for miles around. The monks live a life of prayer and meditation according to the rule of St. Benedict.

The abbey is neo-Gothic in style and, unlike the other buildings in the town it overlooks, is not covered in Ardennes slate but in red tiles.

Although a visit to the site is limited, there is easy access to the crypt to the left of the main entrance, with an interesting exhibition on monastic life (documents, photos, etc.).

The site is also a place for spiritual retreats (only men are accommodated at the abbey). An outside building houses a gîte for groups. There's also a store selling coffee and apple juice from the abbey, and a bookshop specializing in sacred art.

Suggested itinerary. Although it's relatively easy to get here by car, it's best to take the Abbey ascent (approx. 800 m uphill), which can be reached from the church of Sainte-Come and Saint-Damien, in the town center.

Guided tours. Every first Monday of the month, after daily mass, the Tourist Office organizes a guided tour led by a monk from the abbey, covering the history of the building and daily life (booking required).

Built on a rocky outcrop, like many castles in the region, the present building dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, although its origin probably dates back to the 13th century. The first fortress did not offer sufficient security, and in 1631 Count Jan VI ordered the construction of the castle we see today. The former castle chapel was built in 1722 and the monumental external staircase, which led to the gardens, in 1727.

Driven out of the castle by French revolutionary troops, the last Count de Wiltz had to flee in 1793 and died abroad. All his properties were then confiscated and sold. Ceded by the French state in the mid-19th century, the castle was subsequently used as a boarding school for young girls from 1851 to 1950. It has been the property of the Luxembourg state since 1951 and was initially used as a centre for the elderly, run by the nuns of the Carmelite order until 1985. Today, the State symbolically rents it to the municipality.

In addition to the town's museums (the National Museum of Brewing and Tannery Art with its micro-brewery and the one devoted to the Battle of the Bulge from 1944-1945), it houses the office of the International Scout Centre, an international management school for the hotel and tourism industry, as well as the town's Tourist Office. Every year, the castle park hosts the Wiltz International Music and Theatre Festival.

On January 13, 1945, ten people who had taken refuge in a cellar in Wiltz in the midst of the atrocities of war made a promise to build a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. The monument was inaugurated on 13 July 1952. The first official pilgrimage of Portuguese families to the monument took place in 1968. Since then, every year, thousands of fellow Portuguese citizens make their way on Ascension Day from the Church of Saints Peter and Paul (or Church of Niederwiltz) to the shrine.

It was in Vianden, which he had already visited three times, that the author of Les Misérables came to seek asylum after being expelled from Belgium on May 30, 1871. He stayed in a room on the second floor of this house "at the corner of the bridge" from June 8 to August 22, 1871. What remains of his stay in this three-story house is the original furniture as well as numerous drawings, notebooks, souvenirs and original letters written to Juliette Drouet, his 18-year-old mistress.

In 1925, the first studies for the hydroelectric use of the Our were undertaken. The work began in 1959 and the hydroelectric development was inaugurated in 1964. The hydroelectric facility in Vianden is, to date, the largest of this kind in Europe.

The facility includes an artificial lake connected to two upper basins by a well system that leads water to the underground central, located in the heart of Mount Saint-Nicolas.

Principle of operation. The artificial lake of 8 km and a capacity of over 6 million m ³ of water extends from the Vianden dam to Stolzembourg. The waters of the lower lake are pumped over the night (lower energy cost) towards the two upper basins of 6 million m ³, located at the top of Mount Saint-Nicolas. During peak hours, water accumulated in the top basins falls on nine groups of machines, each comprising a turbine, an engine alternator and a pump, producing high-value energy.

This beautiful decanal church was erected in 1510 on the foundations of another sanctuary, dating from 1417. The church presents a curious mix of styles: Gothic for the old part which dates from the 16th century and modern for the 1937 extension. The two side altars were donated by brotherhoods at the beginning of the 18th century and a series of wooden statues represent the patron saints of these orders. The last restorations (frescoes) took place in 2006 and 2010.

The Syndicat d'Initiative et de Tourisme welcomes you to the castle. You will find information and brochures on the attractions, accommodation and restaurants of the town and the region. Hiking maps are also available there, as well as for download on their website. The tourist office also organises guided tours of the Wiltz Garden and the National Museum of Brewing Art, and offers torchlight evening city tours as well as guided walks through the woods around Wiltz.

In addition to the Battle of the Bulge Museum, Wiltz Castle houses four beer and tannery-related establishments within its walls, all of which can be accessed with a single ticket.

National Museum of Brewing Art.

Created in 1999, this is the first beer museum in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located in the former stables of the castle. The exhibits not only give an insight into the 6,000-year history of beer production, but also document the exciting development of the art of brewing in Luxembourg. On the ground floor, the most important steps in the production of beer are explained (crushing of malt, filtration, fermentation, etc.).

Musée de la Tannerie.

This museum gives an idea of the importance of the tannery for the town, whose leather work dates back to 1644. In 1887, Wiltz had 28 tanneries, the last of which, the Ideal, the most important luxury leather factory in Western Europe, closed in 1961.

Micro-Brewery.

Installed in 2000, this part of the museum works in conjunction with the Simon brewery. Its role is mainly educational in order to give an overview of the different production cycles, but it can still produce up to 50 litres of beer. It is one of the smallest breweries in the world.

Jhang Primus Coffee. End your visit with a beer in this charming café, decorated with objects from various regional cafés that are now closed.

This path was created in 1999, as part of the Way of Peace project (www.strasse-des-friedens.net), "a road of human fraternity and solidarity marked by sculptures". Along a 4 km loop, you can admire the works of six sculptors from all over Europe. Among the works: The Angel of the Lake, the sculpture of the suns or Jacob's ladder. The brochure available at the Maison du Parc explains each artist's project. Another sculpture trail can be found in Bilsdorf/Arsdorf.

If only a few ruins remain of the 10th century fortified castle, its monumental keep and its small Romanesque chapel, clinging to the rocks, are nevertheless worth the detour! Both give right on the Sûre river. It is therefore a pleasant picturesque walk through romantic ruins and history on the heights of Esch-sur-Sûre... This walk is always very much appreciated by families: children are the first to love climbing the steps leading them to the keep. From up there, the panorama is superb: photography enthusiasts will be served.

The name of the lord Bertram von Bourscheid is first mentioned in 1095, but the construction of the castle would have taken place around the year 1000 on the basis of remains from earlier periods. Situated on a rocky outcrop at a height of 150 m and surrounded by rivers, the castle had a view over the entire Sûre valley and was surrounded by a wall with 11 towers. It remained impregnable.

It has been extended many times and the styles of different periods can be found in its architecture. The outer wall dates from 1350-1384. The Stolzembourg house was built in 1384 and the bailey in 1477. The keeps on the south and east sides date from 1498, and the artillery bastions were added in the 16th century. Only the gatekeeper's house and the Stolzembourg house were rebuilt according to the old model, a striking building located in a green setting, which must be visited. The aerial views of the castle are also quite remarkable, do not hesitate to consult them on the site.

Victor Hugo, in love with the castle of Boursheid.The famous 19th century French writer visited Boursheid Castle on 20 September 1865 and quickly fell under its spell. In his travel diary he wrote down his first impressions: "An old woman receives us. Her home is in a tower [...]. She lives there with her young daughter. We wander through the ruin. I draw her. It is admirable. It is an enormous tear-off of walls and towers [...], the view is splendid."

This museum, installed in the grounds of Wiltz Castle, is dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge from 16 December 1944 to 21 January 1945 and to the sacrifices made to regain freedom, particularly during the Von Rundtstett Offensive but also during the 1942 strike. You will be able to see American and German weapons, uniforms, documents, as well as numerous photographs and paintings, complemented by maps showing the front lines.

On August 31, 1942, in response to the military obligation decreed by the German occupier, the inhabitants of Wiltz decided to start a general strike. 21 patriots (20 Luxembourgers and 1 German) who refused to submit were then shot in Hinzert. To pay tribute to the heroism of the population and its resistance, this monument was erected in 1956 by the Luxembourg architect Roger Wercollier and his brother, the famous sculptor Lucien Wercollier.

Château de Bettendorf belongs to this category of private buildings and estates, very common in Luxembourg. Construction of the castle began in the ^13th century, and it has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries. Its first function was to manage the surrounding land, but it later became a holiday resort for the lower nobility and then the bourgeoisie. Its small moat, towers and thick walls are typical of Luxembourg castle architecture. Now privately owned, it is not open to the public.