Discovering a Small Country While Heading to Paris
You can travel directly from Belgium to Paris, but while looking at the map, I noticed a small country sitting quietly along the route.
That country was Luxembourg.
Surrounded by Belgium, France, and Germany, its location is almost perfectly tucked in between. I had a strong feeling that if I didn’t visit this time, I might never come back to this area again in my life. So I decided to make a small detour on my way to Paris.
Europe is home to several small yet distinctive countries such as Vatican City, Andorra, and Monaco. Luxembourg felt similar in that sense. It may be small on the map, but it has a clear presence and character once you arrive.
Choosing a One-Night Stay and My Accommodation
For this trip, I stayed at “Comfort & Central Rooms,” which I found on Booking.com.
A private room cost around 14,000 yen per night.
Luxembourg generally has a high standard of living, and accommodation prices reflect that. Because of this, I chose a one-night stay and focused on exploring the city efficiently while enjoying its atmosphere at a relaxed pace.
After checking in, I didn’t waste much time and headed straight out to explore the city.
Lunch After Arrival and the Start of the Walk
I arrived around midday and was already quite hungry, so I stopped by an Italian Trattoria and ordered a pizza.
It cost about 14 euros, which felt reasonable for a first meal in the city.
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This was also a good moment to get a sense of Luxembourg’s prices. From there, I balanced sightseeing and meals at a comfortable pace, enjoying the city without feeling rushed.
A Glimpse of the UNESCO Old Town from the Bridge
After lunch, I made my way toward the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
While crossing La Passerelle, I caught my first clear view of the historic area beyond the valley.
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The perspective from the bridge and the view from below are completely different, and this change in elevation really highlights Luxembourg’s unique landscape. Even short walks here offer constantly changing scenery.
Casemates du Bock: The Symbol of a Fortress City
Once in the Old Town, my first destination was Casemates du Bock.
The Old Town streets feel calm and harmonious, with buildings unified in color and style. It’s not flashy, but there’s a deep, historical beauty that makes walking around especially enjoyable.
Luxembourg’s Old Town is surrounded by steep valleys, forming a natural fortress. The Casemates du Bock are massive underground tunnels built for defense and are one of the most iconic remnants of that history.
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I didn’t go inside this time, but even viewing the cliffs and walls from outside was impressive.
The river below appeared slightly brownish-green that day, likely due to light rain, which added another layer of atmosphere to the scenery.
Heading Down into the Grund District
After enjoying the views from above, I headed down into the Grund District, located at the bottom of the valley.
This area has a very different feel compared to the Old Town above.
In the map I was using, I entered from the upper-right red-framed area.
This red-frame area is where many restaurants and bars are located. During the daytime, several places were closed, but it felt like an area that would come alive in the evening.
There are also two blue-framed areas marked on the map.
On the right blue-frame side, there is a door-like entrance beneath the bridge. If you open this door and walk through the passage, you will emerge at the left blue-frame area.
The left blue-frame area is a great photo spot, where you can capture the river and the surrounding buildings together. The entrance is a bit easy to miss, but it’s well worth finding.
Recommended Photo Spots in Luxembourg
- The cliffs around Casemates du Bock
- Streets and riverside views in the Grund District (red-frame area)
- The photo spot reached by passing through the door under the bridge (left blue-frame area)
Evening Atmosphere at Place d’Armes
After sunset, I visited Place d'Armes, the central square of the Old Town.
Compared to the daytime, the area felt much livelier, with people gathering and enjoying the evening.
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Since it was the weekend, many bars were open, and the terrace seating created a relaxed but energetic atmosphere. It’s a great place to enjoy the city at night.
That evening, I picked up a local Luxembourg beer called “Battiin” from a nearby supermarket and enjoyed it back at my accommodation—a simple but satisfying way to end the day.
A Morning Departure Toward Paris
Although my stay in Luxembourg was just one night, it was enough to get a strong sense of the city’s structure, history, and atmosphere.
The next morning, I took a bus and continued my journey toward Paris.
Final Thoughts: A Memorable Detour Worth Taking
Luxembourg turned out to be a place where even a short stay leaves a strong impression.
Within a compact area, you’ll find dramatic landscapes, a deep military history, and a calm yet refined city atmosphere.
Rather than a long stay, Luxembourg feels especially rewarding as a short stopover during a European journey. If your route allows even a small detour, it’s well worth considering.
Sometimes, the places you didn’t originally plan to visit become the most memorable parts of the trip.
For me, Luxembourg was exactly that kind of destination.
