Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg tickets: which one to buy

Notre-Dame Cathedral stands in the upper old town of Luxembourg City, a few minutes from the Grand Ducal Palace and the Place d'Armes, and entry is free. It is the only cathedral in Luxembourg and plays an important role in national life, hosting royal weddings and funerals. Walking tours of the old town, which is listed by UNESCO along with its fortifications, combine the cathedral with the palace, the Bock casemates, the Chemin de la Corniche viewpoint and the Grund quarter in the valley below.

The crypt, with the tombs of the grand ducal family, is open at certain times. Luxembourg is small, and the old town can be explored on foot in a day; public transport throughout the country is free. The cathedral closes during services and major ceremonies. Buses and trams across Luxembourg are free, and several lines stop near the old town.

Visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg: what to see

The church was built by the Jesuits between 1613 and 1621 as the church of their college, and it combines a late Gothic structure with Renaissance and early baroque decoration, especially in the carved main portal. It became a cathedral in 1870 and was greatly extended between 1935 and 1938, when the choir was lengthened and new towers were added, so the building now has three slender spires. Inside, the tall nave has pillars decorated with carved patterns, colourful stained glass and an organ loft of carved wood.

The church holds the venerated statue of Our Lady, Consoler of the Afflicted, patron saint of Luxembourg. The crypt contains the tombs of the grand dukes and grand duchesses and the tomb of John the Blind, the fourteenth-century count of Luxembourg and king of Bohemia who died fighting at the battle of Crecy, guarded by two bronze lions. The organ, installed in the twentieth century, is played for regular recitals, and the stained glass windows in the choir show saints and scenes connected with the history of the country. A treasury displays liturgical objects and gifts from the grand ducal family.

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is open daily, with visiting restricted during services. The most important religious event is the Octave, a pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady, Consoler of the Afflicted, held over two weeks in spring, ending with a procession through the city; a small market is set up nearby. National Day on 23 June brings a service in the cathedral attended by the grand ducal family, and fireworks.

December brings Christmas markets to the old town squares. Luxembourg's weather is mild but often wet, and spring and early autumn are pleasant for walking the fortifications. Allow about half an hour for the cathedral, and walk to the Corniche for views over the valley. The Grand Ducal Palace, a few minutes away, is open for guided visits only in summer, when the grand duke is away.