Day trips

Day trip to Clervaux from Luxembourg

6 min read

Clervaux Castle in the Ardennes

Getting there

Direct trains from Luxembourg Central to Clervaux run every hour on the northern line to Liège, taking about 60 minutes. Free. The station is a 10-minute uphill walk from the castle — follow the signposted zigzag path or take bus 663 (2 stops).

Family of Man

The Family of Man exhibition ($6, open 12:00-18:00 Wednesday-Sunday) inside Clervaux Castle displays 503 photographs curated by Luxembourg-born Edward Steichen for MoMA in 1955. UNESCO added it to the Memory of the World register in 2003. Allow 90 minutes to see it properly — the layout leads you through birth, childhood, work, war, and death across 68 countries.

The castle also has free-entry exhibits on the Battle of the Bulge (Clervaux was destroyed in December 1944) and a scale model collection of Luxembourg castles.

Around Clervaux

The Benedictine Abbey of St. Maurice sits above town — a 25-minute uphill walk with a free crypt open 08:00-18:00 where monks still sing Gregorian chants at 11:00. Lunch at Restaurant Le Claravallis on Grand-Rue serves $16 daily menus. For photographers, the Ferrari-red retro Clervaux photography benches scattered around town make quirky portraits.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Family of Man exhibition?

A landmark 1955 photography show curated by Edward Steichen with 503 images from 273 photographers across 68 countries, permanently installed at Clervaux since 1994.

Is Clervaux worth the trip?

Yes if photography or WWII history interest you. The Ardennes scenery on the train ride is a bonus.

Can I combine Clervaux with Vianden?

Difficult in one day — they’re on different valleys. Bus 663 from Clervaux to Vianden takes 90 minutes with two changes.

When is Family of Man closed?

Mondays and Tuesdays year-round, plus mid-January to early March annually. Verify before travel.