Things to do in Waldbillig

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Luxembourg

Vallée de la Pétrusse

Vallée de la Pétrusse is also known asVallée de la Pétrusse, a rift about 100 m wide and about 60 m deep that runs across Luxembourg City, naturally separating the high ground of the old town from the new district by the train station. The gorge once served as Luxembourg City's natural barrier, and remnants of fortifications such as bastions, gun ports, and secret passages still remain between the cliffs. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994. Today the gorge has returned to nature, with towering trees spreading layers of green shade and the Pétrusse stream quietly flowing along the valley floor. Stone steps from the plaza side lead all the way down to the valley floor, and along the shaded path you can look up to see the Pont Adolphe spanning the gorge and the arch of the old bridge. The path is gentle, suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling. If you only want to view it from a distance, stand on the plaza or on the bridge spanning the gorge and the canyon's greenery and the old town roofs will appear in the same view. On misty mornings, the valley floor is shrouded in fog, which further accentuates the canyon's depth. In summer, you can also take the open-air sightseeing train Pétrusse express and, with commentary, view the canyon's military remains and natural scenery.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Luxembourg

Pont Adolphe

Pont Adolpheis a stone arch bridge spanning the Vallée de la Pétrusse. It was built between 1900 and 1903 during the reign of Grand Duke Adolphe and was named after him. Since there was already an older bridge over the gorge, locals still habitually call this bridge the "new bridge." Its main arch has a span of approx. 85 m, and the bridge deck is approx. 42 m above the valley floor. When it was built, it was the largest-span stone arch bridge in the world. Two parallel giant arches support the bridge, making it a well-known city symbol of Luxembourg. One end of the bridge connects to the old town on the high ground, and the other end connects to the new district where the train station is located. The upper deck is for vehicles and pedestrians, and you can overlook the greenery of the gorge and the roofs of the old town from the railing. Below the bridge arches, there is a cantilevered lower walkway for pedestrians and cyclists. Walking on it, you can look up at the huge stone arches and get a different perspective to examine the structure of this century-old bridge. If you want to take a panoramic photo, you can head to a nearby plaza. Looking towards the gorge and the bridge from there is a common vantage point when visiting Luxembourg.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Luxembourg

Casemates du Bock

Burke Fortress was built in 1644 during the Spanish rule and was known as the "Gibraltar of the North". The fortress was dismantled in 1867, and the 17-kilometer-long fort was not spared, leaving a series of ruins. In 1933, the Burke Fortress began to open to the public.

Medieval Castle Beaufort

Beaufort Castle is located in the town of Beaufort in eastern Luxembourg, situated in the picturesque Müllerthal region, and is a highly representative historical site of the area. The castle complex consists of two parts: the medieval castle ruins built in the 11th century, and the Renaissance castle constructed in the 17th century. The ancient castle features thick stone walls, towers, dungeons, and defensive structures. Although some parts of the buildings have become ruins, the overall outline is well preserved, allowing visitors to directly experience the structure and living environment of a European feudal castle.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Luxembourg

Place de la Constitution

Place de la Constitution is built on the foundation of the former "Beck Fortress," adjacent to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame on one side, and overlooks the Vallée de la Pétrusse from the railing on the other. The heart of the square is the "Monument of Remembrance," completed in 1923 to commemorate the thousands of Luxembourgers who volunteered to fight in the Allied armies during World War I. At the top of the over 20 m high granite obelisk stands a gilded statue of the Goddess of Victory, created by local sculptor Claus Cito, with her arms outstretched holding a laurel wreath. Below the base, two bronze soldier statues—one lying down and one sitting—depict a scene of sacrifice and mourning. Locals call it the "Golden Lady," and many Chinese tourists also call this place "Little Golden Person Square." During World War II, the monument was dismantled by occupying forces, and the golden statue was hidden under the stands of the national football stadium. It was not rediscovered until 1981, and after being restored and rebuilt in 1984–1985, the victims of World War II were added to those commemorated. Looking out from the railing, the sight of the Adolphe Bridge spanning the valley complements the spires of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The underground fortifications of the former fortress remain within the rock walls beneath the square, allowing you to connect the valley trail and the Old Town loop for a combined visit.

Schiessentümpel/ Schéissendëmpel Waterfall

Vianden Castle

Vianden Castle was built in the 11th to 14th centuries. The castle palace has the characteristics of Hohenstaufen and is one of the larger and more luxurious feudal residences in Europe during the Roman and Gothic periods. Until the beginning of the 15th century, the castle served as the home of the Count of Vianden, and in 1530 it was inherited by the princes of the French duchy of Orange. The distinctive halls, chapels and palaces of one large and one small of the castle were built in the late 12th century to the first half of the 13th century. This is one of the intact medieval castles in Luxembourg City. Today, the interior of the castle still retains the layout of the rooms in the palace.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Luxembourg

Le Chemin de la Corniche

Le Chemin de la Corniche is a section of the rampart walkway atop the cliffs of the Old Town in Luxembourg City, built by the Spanish and French in the 17th century, extending from the Bock promontory to the foot of the Saint-Esprit Citadel. It was originally part of the fortifications, with steps in steep sections. After the citadel was demolished, the steps were leveled, and most of the outer defensive walls with gun ports were removed, transforming it into a gentle and open viewing promenade. Leaning over the railing to look down, the Alzette River winds along the valley floor, the red-tiled roofs of the Grund district spread along the slopes, the spire of St. John's Church and Neumünster Abbey are nestled in the valley, and the Rham Plateau on the opposite side is also in full view. The evening sun slanting across the cliffs and roofs makes for a popular photo opportunity. One end of the walkway is adjacent to the Bock Casemates, and the Wenzel Circular Walk also passes through here. After exploring the high ground, you can follow the stone steps down to the riverside to look back up at this promenade suspended on the cliff from the valley floor.

Cathedral Notre-Dame of Luxembourg

The Notre-Dame Church is located in the center of Luxembourg city and was built between 1613 and 1621. The church was originally a mission school. After the expansion project in 1935, three pointed hats were added to become the Church of Our Lady, and the interior is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The structure of the north door of the church is the product of a combination of Renaissance Art and Baroque styles. The interior of the church is resplendent, decorated with exquisite Baroque organ platforms and huge royal vaults, the inner altar is decorated with precious alabaster statues, and the wall columns are carved with Allah-style images. It is said that there are royal tombs in the basement. In the fifth week after Easter every year, thousands of pilgrims from Luxembourg gather here for a solemn pilgrimage. At the same time, it is also the place where royal ceremonies and ceremonies are held. The king of Luxembourg and the princess of Belgium held a grand wedding ceremony here.

Grand Ducal Palace

Grand Ducal Palaceis the workplace of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg: the Grand Duke works and receives foreign heads of state here, and major ceremonial events such as state banquets are also held in the palace. The Grand Ducal family's daily residence is mostly at Berg Castle outside the city. The predecessor of this building was the city hall of Luxembourg City, which was recorded as early as the 15th century. It was destroyed in a gunpowder explosion in 1554 and rebuilt about twenty years later. In the mid-18th century, a Baroque-style wing was added to the right side of the building, and the stone balcony railings were replaced with the wrought-iron railings that remain today. During World War II, the building was converted into a concert hall and tavern by the occupying forces, and a large number of furniture and artworks were destroyed. When Grand Duchess Charlotte returned from exile in 1945, she stood on the balcony to greet the public. The gray-white Renaissance-style facade, carved wrought-iron balconies, and exquisite roof lines form its iconic streetscape, and soldiers are on duty at the palace gate all year round.