Clervaux is the storybook north of Luxembourg: a riverside town tucked into the Oesling hills, crowned by a whitewashed castle and a Benedictine abbey. Its star is “The Family of Man,” the world‑famous photographic exhibition curated by Edward Steichen, whose roots are Luxembourgish. In two days you’ll savor art, walk cobbled streets, and sip local beer where forested ridges meet the Our River.

The castle also hosts the Museum of the Battle of the Bulge and a model-castles gallery—compact, fascinating stops that round out a culture-rich visit. A short walk above town, the abbey offers serene Romanesque Revival architecture and, on select days, haunting Gregorian chant. Trails radiate into the countryside for easy panoramas if you want a taste of the Ardennes.

Good news for planners: public transport in Luxembourg is free in 2nd class, making Clervaux an effortless rail trip from Luxembourg City. Expect hearty regional fare—Ardennes ham, trout, game in season—paired with local beers and Crémant de Luxembourg. Pack layers; evenings can be cool in the hills, even in shoulder seasons.

Clervaux

Clervaux’s compact center is perfect for walking—think slate roofs, a castle cresting a rocky spur, and café terraces along Grand-Rue. The town is a gateway to wooded valleys and gentle ridge walks with big views, especially at golden hour.

Top sights include Clervaux Castle with three distinct museums, the Benedictine Abbey of St. Maurice & St. Maur, and the twin-towered Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian. Food-wise, this is prime territory for Our Valley ham, trout, comforting braises, and generous pastries.

• Don’t miss: “The Family of Man” UNESCO‑listed photo exhibition, the abbey’s bookstore and chant, and a leisurely castle-courtyard hour between museums.
• Tasty stops: Brasserie Koener for Luxembourgish classics, Rhino Steakhouse & Pizzeria for flame-grilled cuts, Restaurant at Château d’Urspelt for a refined dinner, and Cornelyshaff in nearby Heinerscheid for regional dishes and local beer.
• Fun fact: Edward Steichen was born in 1879 in Bivange, Luxembourg; his definitive 1955 exhibition lives here in a 12th‑century castle—an art pilgrimage in miniature.

Where to stay (browse and compare): VRBO Clervaux | Hotels.com Clervaux

Traveler favorites in town and nearby include suites at Le Clervaux Boutique & Design Hotel (right in the center), Koener Hotel & Spa and Hotel International (both central, handy for restaurants and spa time), family-friendly Hotel du Commerce near the river, and the romantic Château d’Urspelt (a short taxi from town, perfect for a special night).

How to get to Clervaux (and around):

• Flights to Luxembourg (LUX): Search flexible fares to Luxembourg City with Omio Flights (Europe). From the airport, bus 16 or 29 to Luxembourg Gare (free, ~25–35 minutes).
• Train to Clervaux: From Luxembourg Gare, take CFL Line 10 toward Troisvierges/Clervaux (~55–65 minutes, trains typically hourly; 2nd class is free for everyone). Plan via Omio Trains (Europe).
• Regional buses: Handy for short hops to nearby villages (free). For intercity options, check Omio Buses (Europe).

Day 1: Arrival, Clervaux Castle, and a Cozy Ardennes Dinner

Morning: Travel toward Luxembourg City, then up to Clervaux by train on Line 10. Aim for a midday arrival so you can settle in before the museums. If you land at LUX in the morning, buses run frequently to the main station; total airport-to-Clervaux time is ~1.5–2 hours door to door.

Afternoon: Drop your bags and walk 10–12 minutes uphill from the station to Clervaux Castle. Start with “The Family of Man”, a moving, humanist journey across 500+ photographs from legends like Dorothea Lange, Cartier-Bresson, and Ansel Adams. Expect ~60–90 minutes if you linger with the captions and films; check seasonal hours (often closed Mondays, last entry ~30 minutes before closing).

Next, dip into the Museum of the Battle of the Bulge for context on the 1944–45 Ardennes Offensive—uniforms, maps, personal stories. If time allows, pop into the Model Castles of Luxembourg gallery, a fun, kid-friendly overview of the country’s fortresses in miniature.

Evening: Settle into a hearty dinner. Try Brasserie Koener for Luxembourgish comfort—Judd mat Gaardebounen (smoked pork neck with broad beans) when in season, or Rieslingspaschteit (wine-pâté) to start. If you’re craving flame and fun, Rhino Steakhouse & Pizzeria grills generous cuts and does a solid trout when on the menu; pair with a Bofferding or Diekirch beer. Nightcap with a glass of Crémant de Luxembourg at your hotel bar and a stroll beneath the floodlit castle.

Optional, for trip-planning fun on your travels:

Peak District Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (7 Day Pass) UK — a family-friendly self-guided travel game you can save for a future UK leg.

Day 2: Abbey Calm, Valley Views, and WWII Perspectives

Morning: After breakfast—hotel buffets are generous in Clervaux, and many welcome non-guests for a paid breakfast (Hotel du Commerce and central spa hotels are convenient)—walk 15–20 minutes up to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Maurice & St. Maur. Browse the small museum and bookshop; if schedules align, sit quietly for part of the monks’ chant. On the way back down, stop at the Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian to admire its twin towers and interior light.

Prefer fresh air? Try the signed Auto-Pédestre Clervaux loop (easy-to-moderate; ~8–10 km depending on variant) for ridge views over town. Trails are well marked; bring water and a light jacket.

Afternoon: For lunch, go regional. If you’d like a short outing, head to Cornelyshaff in nearby Heinerscheid for Ourdaller ham, game dishes in season, and local beers; it’s a ~10–15 minute taxi, or a short free regional bus ride (check the current RGTR timetable in town). Back in Clervaux, spend your final hour revisiting any castle galleries you missed or relaxing at a hotel spa (Koener/International both have facilities; day access may be available—ask at reception).

Depart by mid-afternoon: walk to the station and catch CFL Line 10 back to Luxembourg City (~1 hour), then continue to the airport or your next European stop. Plan rail and coach legs with Omio Trains and Omio Buses; for onward flights within Europe, use Omio Flights.

Dining short list (save this):

• Brasserie Koener (center): Classic Luxembourgish plates, seasonal game, good for groups. Reservations recommended on weekends.
• Rhino Steakhouse & Pizzeria (center): Chargrilled meats, wood-fired pizzas, casual energy; kid-friendly.
• Restaurant at Château d’Urspelt (nearby): Romantic setting for a refined menu and regional wine pairings; ideal for celebrations.
• Cornelyshaff (Heinerscheid): Regional dishes—Ourdaller ham, local trout, hearty sides—and in-house beers; a taste of the Our Valley.

Practical tips:

• Tickets: Luxembourg’s trains/buses are free in 2nd class; you don’t need to buy a ticket for the Clervaux train. Validate only if you choose 1st class.
• Castle hours: Museums may have reduced hours in winter and are often closed on Mondays; arrive earlier in the day for “The Family of Man.”
• Walking: The climb from station to castle is short but steep—comfortable shoes help. In wet weather, the cobbles can be slick.

Clervaux distills art, history, and nature into an easy weekend. With free trains, compact sights, and food that warms you from the inside out, it’s a delightful pause in Northern Luxembourg before your next European chapter.