Visit the north of Luxembourg: what to do and what to see in a weekend?

It's after 2 hours and 15 minutes driving from Brussels that we arrive at the Auberge Rackésmillen, our accommodation for this weekend in Luxembourg. The opportunity to leave our luggage before getting back on the road. Initially, we were supposed to reach the town of Clervaux on foot, following part of the Escapardenne Éislek Trail. Unfortunately, the weather at the beginning of July isn't on our side with violent thunderstorms. We decide to go to Clervaux by car, located 15 minutes away.

Clervaux is an unmissable town in Luxembourg. Nestled in the heart of the Luxembourg Ardennes, Clervaux is known for its medieval castle overlooking the town center, the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, and the Abbey of Saint-Maurice.

Perched on a rocky outcrop, the Clervaux Castle overlooks the town center. Its construction began in the 12th century before being destroyed in ruins during World War II. Today, renovated, it houses the Ardennes Battle Museum, the Museum of Models of Luxembourg Castles and Fortresses and the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed photo exhibition, "The Family of Man".

In the heart of the trees, on the heights of the town of Clervaux, stands the magnificent Saint-Maurice Abbey. This neo-Gothic abbey, built at the beginning of the 20th century, now houses 12 monks. It is not open to the public, but the monks organize a guided tour every first Monday of the month after the 10 am mass.

Just a 10-minute drive from Vianden, this 7.5 km panoramic hike takes us into the heart of nature and the Our Valley. The beginning of the trail climbs well, but offers beautiful views of the village of Bivels and the meanders of the Our. A walk accessible to all, which offered us a suspended moment with the encounter of 2 deer that were sleeping a few meters from us.

Isn't it unusual as an activity to take a chairlift right in the heart of Luxembourg? However, that's what we did in Vianden. Departing from one bank of the Our, the Vianden chairlift offers us a panoramic journey over the city center and the castle. You can also combine the chairlift with a visit to the Vianden Castle, which is easily accessible on foot from the summit.

The visit to Vianden Castle is, for us, a must-do during a trip to Luxembourg. Considered one of the 21 most beautiful castles in the world by CNN, Vianden Castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries. It was owned by the famous Counts of Vianden until 1977, when it became the property of the Luxembourgish state, which rebuilt it to make it a symbol of the country. We fell in love with the Byzantine gallery and its openings onto the Luxembourgish nature and the Our Valley.

During our exploration of Vianden, we parked on the free parking lot next to the Our. There is also a larger free parking lot a few meters from the cable car departure.

This lovely 9-kilometer loop takes us deep into the heart of the Luxembourg Ardennes. Between meadows, woods, and a river, this varied walking route has held some beautiful surprises, like encountering two foxes in the tall grass. A magnificent immersive hike through the Sûre Valley that we did alone in the world. Discovering exceptional places alone in the world has no price!

The Burfelt Belvedere is THE viewpoint not to be missed during your stay in Luxembourg. Perched 70 meters high amidst the trees, the platform offers a panoramic view of the meanders of the Haut-Sûre lake. Located just 300 meters from a large parking area, it is also the starting point for many hikes.

We go back to the beginning of the 20th century for an immersive visit to the Slate Museum in Haut-Martelange. We discover the life of miners and slate extraction techniques. The highlight: an underground tour that takes us to 42 meters deep.

Beim LUSS is a bakery in Clervaux offering quick, small meals: rolls, sandwiches, croque-monsieurs, etc. It is located on the main street of the town. Ideal for eating a sandwich on the go and regaining strength for hiking. Special mention for their rolls filled with homemade omelette!

The perfect spot to end the day in Vianden and have a drink with a beautiful view.

We had a wonderful time at this excellent pizzeria on the Belgian border. The chef was actually a world pizza champion.

The Rackésmillen restaurant offers contemporary cuisine with regional recipes and local products. It was one of the best places to eat during our weekend in Luxembourg.

For this trip to northern Luxembourg, we stayed at the Auberge de Rackésmillen in Enscherange, a recently renovated old mill. The room is basic, clean and functional. It is located 10 minutes from Clervaux and 30 minutes from Vianden. A perfect location to visit the Éislek region of northern Luxembourg.

In short, you'll understand, we fell in love with the Éislek region, which combines hiking in nature and visiting well-preserved heritage, including its castles. We hope to have inspired you to discover this part of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on a romantic weekend or with friends.