Things to see and do Esch-Sur-Alzette

As a platform open to the general public and a professional institution at the same time, the Centre national de l'audiovisuel (CNA) aims to preserve and promote Luxembourg's audiovisual heritage and to make the culture of sound, still and moving images accessible to all. It is equipped with a media library, exhibition and discovery areas, photographic laboratories, two cinemas (CinéStarlight), and studios for filming, sound and shooting.

It is a cultural place dedicated to photography, next to the NAC. It is composed of a water tower and a pumping station which belong to the industrial heritage of Dudelange. The completely renovated architectural ensemble alone is worth a visit. Since its opening in 2012 until January 2021, a part of the historical collection "The Bitter Years" by Edward Steichen, was exhibited in the base and the tank of the water tower. It is now in the archives. Temporary exhibitions, on the other hand, are presented in the Pomhouse.

Welcome aboard Train 1900 for an unforgettable journey through Luxembourg's railway history. Immerse yourself in the golden age of steam railroads in an enchanting setting... This picturesque steam train runs on an 8 km long former industrial track (formerly known as the Ligne des Minières), which was abandoned after the end of mining operations and an incident in 1964 (a spoil slide). The Train 1900 association has a collection of no less than a dozen steam and diesel locomotives, as well as two railcars. Over the years, they have been preserved and restored to their original condition. In 2023, the site celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Arbed Differdange No. 12 locomotive (the one you can see on the logo) and the 50th anniversary of Train 1900!

Two routes are available to visitors: from Rodange wood or Pétange station, to the Fond-de-Gras mining valley (and vice versa). It passes by the Titelberg archaeological site (with remains of the Celtic town and Gallo-Roman vicus) and crosses the former "Dhoil" open-cast mine (a stop can be requested depending on the schedule). Finally, it runs through part of Minett Park, one of the most important mining centers in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, before stopping at the Fond-de-Gras goods station, built in 1875. Timetables vary according to the route and type of locomotive (steam or diesel).

Located in the heart of the country, the primary aim of the Centre de documentation sur les migrations humaines (CDMH) is to collect, preserve and share the personal and collective stories of migrants and their descendants, who have helped shape society in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. It organizes exhibitions, conferences, readings, round tables and thematic workshops. Its vast collection includes documents, archives, photographs, films, audiovisual recordings, oral testimonies and various publications. In addition to temporary exhibitions, free guided tours (subject to the availability of a guide) of the working-class immigrant district of Italy last around an hour. This concept of a "museum without walls" is centered around two alleyways: "l'Italie Haute", today's rue des Minières, and "l'Italie Basse", today's rue Gare-Usines. The aim: to understand the fundamental role played by migration in the economic, social and cultural development of this cross-border, cosmopolitan area. The CDMH also offers consultation and support services for those wishing to explore their family history linked to migration. It also works with schools to develop educational programs and raise awareness of the importance of migration among the younger generation. A must-see institution for curious travelers and history buffs alike.

This park allows you to explore two universes intimately and judiciously linked in the same large space: the world of animals and the world of dreams and adventure. All in an extremely pleasant family atmosphere. If the youngest visitors are the obvious target, they'll all enjoy wandering through the aisles, discovering animals from the five continents, Snow White and Puss in Boots. Some will be eager to join the electric car circuit or explore the adventurers' cabins. There's a restaurant on site.

This museum unveils about twenty carriages, among which are six vehicles of the Grand-Ducal Court. It also includes accessories such as harnesses, trunks, lanterns and travel utensils, which plunge visitors into an era when the horse-drawn carriage was the preferred means of transport for the wealthy. You can also admire a complete coachbuilder's workshop and follow an illustrated history of the evolution of horse-drawn vehicles.

The Cockerill mine is the only mine in Luxembourg with a shaft, since the minette was usually extracted through galleries. It was one of the country's main mines from 1881 to 1967, when it ceased to operate. The association Entente Mine Cockerill, which manages the site, brings together former miners who have rehabilitated the place and continue to guide the visits. One of the restored houses houses a mining museum where miners' tools are on display. The numerous photographs reveal the hard work of the miners..

The Espace Muséologique Lasauvage is located in a former priory which belonged to Count Fernand de Saintignon, master of the Lasauvage forges and important industrialist of Longwy. This museum is dedicated to the history of the village and to a group of young Luxembourgers who, in order to avoid being enlisted in the German army during the Second World War, hid in a mine (more precisely in the Hondsbësch gallery, near Niederkorn).

The Gaalgebierg Municipal Park is a place of relaxation for all, in a preserved nature on the heights of the city. It is a unique ensemble of flowery gardens, formal gardens, forest paths and small, secluded paths. Ideal for walks or jogging, it also offers petanque tracks. The hill where it is located is home to a vast forest with numerous paths, a campsite, an animal park, a football stadium and a natural ice rink.

Since 1962, this small animal park has enabled the inhabitants of Esch and visitors to discover pets in their natural environment just a stone's throw from the town centre, thanks to a circuit designed primarily for children and families. This Esch Noah's Ark is home to roe deer, goats, geese, pheasants and many other species. Possibility to feed the animals thanks to a hay cube dispenser at the entrance. There is also an educational farm.

The need for a modern and perfectly adapted infrastructure was reflected in the construction of a cultural centre with a regional vocation, which opened its doors to the public in 2007. The opderschmelz regional cultural centre has a large modular auditorium with 460 seats, a small auditorium with 105 seats, rehearsal rooms for harmonies and various workshops. The venue is also home to the Dudelange Regional Music School, the National Audiovisual Centre, the Starlight cinema and the Amarcord restaurant.

The auditorium offers events of all kinds: jazz concerts, singer-songwriter festival, worldmusic, contemporary theatre, literary performances, dance and children's shows and conferences. Many new experiences and numerous exclusives reflect the organisers' desire to stand out from current productions and to act resolutely off the beaten track while remaining attentive to the public's expectations. The complete program is available on the structure's website.

The Regional Cultural Centre Opderschmelz also organises numerous events, such as the festival Like a Jazz Machine or the Touch of Noir festival, which consists of exhibitions, concerts and readings on black literature and cinema of yesterday and today. It also ensures the musical organisation of the Zeltik festival, the Fête de la musique and the Fête des cultures in Dudelange.

The Syndicat d'initiative et de tourisme Dudelange provides all the necessary information on the points of interest in the town. It also organises four guided tours to discover Dudelange with the themes of the town centre, culture, architecture and the Italian Quarter. The initial duration of each of them is 2 hours. They are organised from Monday to Sunday on request and by reservation. Prices are indicated on the website.

This room was used until 1972 as a locker room for the workers of the Lasauvage mines. The miners put their civilian clothes on a hook and pulled the chain under the ceiling, hence the name of the place. At the time, this installation was more practical than cupboards, since the clothes hung on the hook dried more quickly and the floors were easier to clean. The room still has some old lockers and period wash basins. The facility is sometimes used as an exhibition space during the Blues Express festival.

Located opposite the Rural Museum, in the A Mëchels house, the Museum of Ancient Metallurgy reveals certain aspects of the ancient metallurgy of Luxembourg. The permanent exhibition thus shows taques, anvils, pans, hammers, axes and metal objects, as well as the first cast iron heating plates, resulting from the appearance of the new blast furnaces in the 15th century. The place is documented with numerous illustrations.

The Differdange Regional Cultural Centre, located in the beautifully renovated old town hall, opened its doors in January 2014. It includes an auditorium (its centrepiece!), the municipal library, the music school, the cultural service and the brasserie-restaurant Chez Amado. The centre can not only host cultural activities (concerts, theatre, exhibitions), but also act as a small congress centre.

This path, dedicated to the network of the same name, leads through the rich nature surrounding Esch-sur-Alzette, from Ellergronn to the heights of the Gaalgebierg via the Burgronn. The main starting point is the Ellergronn Nature and Forest Centre. The trail is divided into three loops, which follow each other for a total of 12 km. Along the way, there are information boards to help you learn more about the mining landscape and nature conservation projects.

The Asile pour Animaux Régional in Dudelange, Luxembourg, is an association dedicated to the protection of animals. Located in the center of Parc Lé'h, the shelter welcomes dogs and cats looking for a home. However, it is important to note that visits to the shelter are by appointment only. The shelter also offers lost and found pet search services.