Exploring the city with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide
The "Lëtzebuerg, dat ass Vakanz!" campaign isn't just about introducing visitors to the diversity and beauty of Luxembourg's regions. Another aim of the initiative is to celebrate all those in the tourism industry who go above and beyond every day to give residents and visitors the best possible experience. The idea is to shine a light on the work, expertise and daily efforts of these professionals, volunteers and students.
Marie-Jeanne is one such individual who is committed to helping visitors connect with the very best of what Luxembourg City has to offer, day after day. As a passionate ambassador for the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (LCTO), she enthusiastically shares the history and secrets of Luxembourg City during the City Promenade tour. Peppering her tours with anecdotes, fascinating facts and spectacular views, this experienced tour guide introduces visitors to the many highlights of Luxembourg's capital. We walked with her through the city's streets.
At 2pm on Place du Knuedler, six German tourists from regions including Bavaria and Hesse are waiting for their City Promenade to begin. Their guide, Marie‑Jeanne, greets them with a smile. They have hit the jackpot with Marie-Jeanne, as she knows the city's streets like the back of her hand.
This former estate agent manager has been working as a freelance guide for the LCTO since 2014. Over the past 12 years, she has guided nearly 500 groups through the streets of Luxembourg City. And her enthusiasm hasn't waned one bit in that time. "Every morning, I'm excited all over again," she admits.
Today, she will be taking her visitors on a journey back through time. She will punctuate her tour with little-known anecdotes, quirky facts and historical milestones as she introduces the group to the riches of Luxembourg's heritage.
Travelling back through history in Luxembourg's capital
The tour begins on Place du Knuedler, in front of the equestrian statue of William II (Guillaume II, after whom the square is officially named), before continuing towards the Grand-Ducal Palace and the city centre's main historical sites. The City Promenade, available from Friday to Sunday, is one of the LCTO's most popular tours. The tourist office currently has around 150 guides who lead a variety of different tours, from the City Promenade to the Vauban Walk, as well as tours of the European district in Kirchberg and bus tours.
What Marie-Jeanne likes most about her role as a guide is the human contact and the chance to share her passion for history. She loves meeting people from all over the world and bringing history to life through her explanations. It soon becomes clear that she doesn't just run through a list of dates or historical events. She tells the story of the city, and her passion shines through.
There are also plenty of juicy anecdotes. One time, in front of the Grand-Ducal Palace, she saw the Grand Duke stop and greet a class of schoolchildren. Another time, he wound down his car window to wave at her group. She also remembers bumping into the then Prime Minister and several other ministers, who spontaneously stopped and posed for a photo with the children. "That type of scene always takes visitors by surprise, as they are not used to being in such close proximity with politicians," she says.
The Corniche, the spot that never ceases to delight visitors
Monuments and historical anecdotes aside, Marie-Jeanne reveals that her main aim is for visitors to go away happy with what they have seen and keen to come back again. To anyone who has not yet visited Luxembourg City, she extends a direct invitation: "Come and see for yourselves." And if you only have one day, she strongly recommends the City Promenade as a great way of discovering the historic sights of the city centre.
It goes without saying that the tour has to take in the Corniche, her favourite spot. In Marie-Jeanne's view, you can't really say that you have seen Luxembourg if you haven't walked along this path that runs high above the Alzette valley and rightly deserves the moniker of "Europe's most beautiful balcony". It offers stunning views over the Grund and the city's historical fortifications. One thing that slightly irks her is that many visitors think that Luxembourg is only about its banks and financial centre. "But once they take in that view, they completely change their minds. It's usually at that moment that they discover with surprise just how beautiful our city is," she says.
Won over by the city's charms
Over the years, Marie-Jeanne has also heard her fair share of unexpected questions. The most surprising was "Is Luxembourg really a country? We thought it was just a city somewhere in Europe." The question makes her smile, but she also believes it illustrates how little some people know about Luxembourg.
That's certainly not the case for Detlev, aged 67, a German from Düsseldorf who is in today's group. Although he is visiting Luxembourg for the first time, he clearly already appreciates all the city has to offer. He is visibly fascinated by the heritage, and he realises that there is more to Luxembourg City than any single landmark. "At every street corner there's something interesting to discover," he adds. Margit, aged 60, from Bavaria, agrees. What impresses her the most is the undulating landscapes. "The differences in height are really striking," she says.
History and modernity
After more than two hours spent criss-crossing the streets of Luxembourg's capital, the City Promenade is nearly over. The route takes the group to Notre Dame Cathedral before finishing under the Gëlle Fra monument. Looking out over the Pétrusse valley, the visitors enjoy a final sweeping view of the capital. They now have the rest of the evening to continue exploring the city by themselves, but Marie-Jeanne has come to the end of her day's work. "What really makes my day is when visitors tell me at the end of the tour that my enthusiasm was infectious and that they enjoyed exploring and discovering the city."
She adds that Luxembourgers are often the most demanding visitors – but that's precisely what makes the tours so satisfying. "I am often able to show Luxembourgers new places or tell them stories that they didn't know themselves. In return, they teach me things that I was unaware of. So every tour is an opportunity for dialogue, a chance to learn, and I can incorporate these new titbits of knowledge into my next tours."
Even though she is constantly learning more about her city, she remains convinced of one thing: few capitals offer so many contrasts in so small an area. In just a few minutes, you can walk from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old city to the modern European district. It is those juxtapositions that make Luxembourg unique in Europe.
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