Things to see and do Clervaux

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).

The Syndicat d'Initiative de Clervaux is responsible for promoting the destination. Here you'll find all the information you need about the town and the surrounding area: accommodation, restaurants, activity schedules, walking maps, special events, etc. You can also rent bicycles on site. The Tourist Office also organizes free guided tours of the town, Saint-Maurice Abbey and the Battle of the Bulge. The staff are very welcoming!

On 16 December 1944, under the command of General von Rundstedt, German troops attacked the American line along the Sûre and the Our. This bloody episode of the Second World War, which lasted two months and caused thousands of casualties, is called the Battle of the Bulge. This museum looks back on this historical period that led to the final liberation of Luxembourg from the occupier. It displays documents but also uniforms and weapons.

The chapel was built in 1762 in a late baroque style by Count Adrien Jean-Baptiste de Lannoy and his wife Constance de Wignancourt to make it a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary. On the portal are represented their coat of arms and a relief of Our Lady of Loreto. Inside, the ceiling is adorned with a stuccoed rocaille decoration. The high altar is surrounded by two funerary monuments of the Lannoy family. The bell tower could have housed a hermit during services.