The small and picturesque Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is located in the heart of Europe, bordering France, Germany and Belgium. It is the sixth smallest country and the only Grand Duchy in the world. It is known for its beautiful forests, which cover a third of the country, and it’s wine growing region covering a 40 km stretch between Schengen and Wasserbillig. There are many medieval castles to visit and an excellent public transport network to reach them. A book of maps to 201 clearly marked forest trails is available for those who are feeling adventurous. “La Petite Suisse” to the East of the country provides especially spectacular scenery..
The mix of cultures has led to a great diversity in restaurants and bars, as well as in music, theater, museums and other cultural activities. The town is built on a series of plateaus linked by bridges, and is surrounded by a forested valley (the “Grund”). At one time Luxembourg was considered the “Gibraltar of the North” due to its strong fortifications. Today many visitors walk the “chemin de la corniche” around the carefully preserved medieval fortifications. The “casemates” are a series of underground caves where the population of the city could hide underground in the event of an attack. The caves can be visited, and many bars and restaurants in the old town “fish market” area have incorporated the ancient caves into charming underground basements. In 1994 Luxembourg City was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Luxembourg has its own language, Luxembourgish. Luxembourgers themselves are one of the most polyglot nations on earth. They speak Luxembourgish amongst themselves but are taught in French and German and are usually at least tri-lingual. Their motto is “mir wölle bleiwe wat mir sinn”, meaning “we want to stay the way we are”. Throughout its history the country has been invaded and changed hands many times, but has managed to hold on to its cultural identity. Café society is strong in Luxembourg. The Place d’Armes in Luxembourg City is known as the town’s sitting room, with many bars and restaurants providing seating around the square. It is an ideal place for “people watching”, with a bandstand and very often live music and street entertainers. Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in the world, a fact that is reflected in many of the high profile designer shops in the centre. Tax on luxury goods is lower than in the surrounding countries, making Luxembourg a shopper’s paradise. The country has more Michelin starred restaurants per square mile than anywhere in the world. There is a fun, diverse nightlife in the city. Luxembourg is a small but vibrant country with something for everyone.
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The capital is multicultural and vibrant. People have come from all over Europe, and even further afield, to live and work here, with the result that forty percent of the population of nearly half a million is not Luxembourgish. Immigrants have come from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and above all Portugal during the twentieth century. Many more from throughout Europe have come to work in the European Union Institutions based in Luxembourg, and in the banking industry. Luxembourg is the world’s eighth largest banking centre.
