Area guides

Clervaux area guide: deep in the Ardennes north

5 min read

Clervaux Castle and abbey in the deep valley

Who it suits

Clervaux sits in a deep bend of the Clerve river in the far north, dominated by its restored castle housing the UNESCO-listed Family of Man photography exhibition curated by Edward Steichen. Stay here for the Ardennes forests, for the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Maurice on the ridge above, and for cross-country skiing when snow arrives in January and February. It suits walkers, photographers, and anyone doing the Escapardenne Éislek Trail.

It does not suit anyone chasing city life. Clervaux has fewer than 2,000 residents and evenings are for dinner and bed.

What is walkable

The castle and the Family of Man (allow two hours, entry 6 EUR), the Battle of the Bulge exhibition also in the castle, the abbey (open for Gregorian chant services), and forest walks straight from the town. Trains to Luxembourg City take 60-70 minutes and run hourly. Vianden is 40 minutes by car; Bastogne in Belgium is 30 minutes across the border.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Family of Man exhibition open year-round?

It is closed in January and on Mondays, and open Wednesday to Sunday the rest of the year. Hours are 10:00-18:00 in season, shorter in winter.

Does it snow in Clervaux?

Usually a few weeks a year, most reliably late January and February. Cross-country ski trails open when snow depth permits, typically around Weiswampach nearby.