Sourvenir Shopping: 16 Unique Things to Buy in Luxembourg

Strolling around Luxembourg, you’ll quickly notice the number of shops selling high-end watches from around the world. However, Luxembourg boasts its own exclusive brands that hold their own against the competition. These design houses have long-standing traditions of high-quality craftsmanship and elegant styles, and are often also master jewellers. Watches start at around EUR 50.

Schroeder:
Founded in 1877, Schroeder has the notable distinction of being an official supplier to the Grand Ducal family. This family-run company has its main boutique at 27-29 Grand-Rue, and two design workshops, one in Luxembourg and the other in Paris. The signature line, Schroeder Timepieces, is updated each season. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. www.schroederjoailliers.lu

Bijouterie Hoffman:
Located outside the capital, at 1 Grand-Rue in Grevenmacher, Hoffman produces traditional wall clocks and wristwatches. Whether you are looking for a grandfather clock, wooden wall clock or a good-quality watch, you are sure to find it here. www.bijouteriehoffmann.lu

Enjoy the picturesque architecture and landscapes of Luxembourg, even from afar, with a photo book. From the dramatic hilltop fortifications and deep valleys of the capital city to the gently rolling farms and forests of the countryside, Luxembourg’s natural beauty and long history shine through in photos.

Moein, published by the leading independent publishing group Maison Moderne, mixes professional photography with articles analyzing contemporary Luxembourg. A high-quality book available in English, French and German, you can find it at major bookstores around the country for about €40.

Ernster:
Visit family-run Ernster, founded in 1889. With four locations and a wide variety of titles in four languages, it continues to be one of the leading bookstores in Luxembourg. The Centre-Ville location is the easiest to find at 27 rue du Fossé, on the opposite end of Place Guillaume II from the Tourist Office, and is open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 6:30pm and Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm. www.ernster.lu

Libo:
Be sure to visit Libo, a two-story bookstore close to the central train station at 11 rue du Fort Bourbon. With a focus on Luxembourgish books, as well as a good selection of stationery items and cards, you can take your time browsing with an Exki coffee in hand in the open-concept shared space. Libo’s hours are 7:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 6:00pm on Saturdays. www.libo.lu

See Luxembourg through the eyes of an expat with Sam Woolford’s book, A View from the Outside. Celebrating Luxembourg across all four seasons, it lets the reader travel around the country with the author and see both remote and famous locations. The book is available for €25 from Luxembourg’s leading British shop, Little Britain, located outside the capital at 1C, Route d’Arlon, Capellen, as well as from two centrally-located cafés, Konrad and Coffee Lounge. Friendly, non-smoking Konrad Café and Bar at 7 rue du Nord, is open Monday to Friday 10:00am to 1:00am and Sunday 11:00am to 1:00am. Popular hangout Coffee Lounge serves creative, quality food and drinks at 28 rue de la Poste, and is open Monday to Saturday from 7:00am to 6:00pm.

With its dramatic architecture and geography, Luxembourg has long provided inspiration for artists. The early 1900s was the golden period in the country's landscape painting. Franz Seimetz (1858-1934), the first Luxembourgish Impressionist, produced more than a thousand paintings during his career. Joseph Kutter (1894-1941), influenced by Flemish Expressionism, was a founding member of the Luxembourg Secession Movement who exhibited a famous dark-toned painting of Luxembourg City at the 1937 World Exposition in Paris. Co-founder Nico Klopp (1894-1930), who lived in Remich, painted many cheerful and bright scenes of the Moselle, which flows alongside the town. His other contemporary, Sosthène Weis, painted over 5,000 watercolours. He travelled all over the country to capture the varied landscape in his light and dreamy post-Impressionist style.

The National History and Art Museum:
You can discover works by these artists at museums around Luxembourg and even take a reproduction home with you, priced between €50 and €75, from the National History and Art Museum’s boutique at Marché-aux-Poissons. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Thursday until 8:00pm, the large shop offers an excellent selection of gift items inspired by its collection. Besides many replicas of artifacts from around the world, you can also find there small reproductions of historical statues and figures from Luxembourg. www.mnha.public.lu

Antique markets:
Alternatively, try your luck at one of Luxembourg City’s antique markets or fairs, which offer a wide selection of antique and second-hand objects and art. There is an outdoor antique market every second and fourth Saturday of the month in Place d’Armes, right in the centre of Luxembourg’s old town. www.maart.lu
The annual Antiques & Art Fair, held at Luxexpo at the top of Kirchberg, hosts over one hundred antique vendors and art dealers each year, so if you’re in town, be sure not to miss it.

Commissioned for Louis XV, the King of France, in 1745, Vieux Luxembourg (literally ‘Old Luxembourg’) was Villeroy & Boch’s first pattern. One of the world’s leading porcelain-makers, Villeroy & Boch was founded in France by Francois Boch and his three sons. They soon moved the company to Luxembourg, establishing the Grand Duchy’s reputation for quality ceramics. After over 200 years in operation, the Luxembourg porcelain factory was closed in 2010, but Villeroy & Boch remains the tableware brand of choice for Luxembourgers. Enjoy Luxembourg tradition with a Vieux Luxembourg piece, starting from around €8 for smaller items. Choose from the large collection, ranging from teacups and saucers to casserole dishes and jam serving sets, all featuring the classic pattern of pretty blue flowers on a clean white background.

Villeroy & Boch’s main Luxembourg shop, located right in the centre at 2 rue du Fossé, is a delight for the senses. All of the seasonal and traditional collections are displayed artfully around the large space, drawing in passersby who can’t resist a look inside. Open Monday to Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, you are sure to find her a perfect gift. www.villeroy-boch.com

While it's the neighbouring Belgium that is usually associated with chocolate, Luxembourg also boasts a number of wonderful chocolate houses with long-standing traditions of making high-quality product. You’re very unlikely to miss any of the local chocolate shops, as their windows display rows of colourful treats doomed to catch every passer-by's eye. The three most famous Luxembourgian chocolatiers – Oberweis, Namur and Kaempff Kohler – produce a wide range of sweets and offer cafe areas to enjoy them on site. Visit all the three and see if you can pick a favourite. Gift boxes start at around €5.

Oberweiss:
Founded in 1964, this family-run business is an official supplier to the Grand Ducal family. Although originally chocolate-maker, today the company offers a vast array of other sweet delights at five locations around Luxembourg City. Their main shop, at 19-21 Grand-Rue, has an upstairs dining area and is open from 7:30am to 6:15pm Monday to Friday, and from 8:00am to 6:15pm on Saturday. www.oberweis.lu

Namur:
Luxembourger Nicolas Namur opened his first pastry shop in Sacramento, California in 1854, having undergone training in France and New York. Upon his return to Luxembourg in 1861, he opened a pastry shop there in 1863. Since then, the company, nowadays run by the family's sixth generation, has grown to become one of the top chocolate houses in the country. The use of best possible ingredients paired with centuries-old recipes in making of marzipans, pralines and other delights, has ensured the Luxembourgers coming back again and again. You can find Namur near the train station, at 44 avenue de la Liberté, open Monday 12:00pm to 6:00pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 7:45am to 6:00pm, or in the city centre, at 27 rue des Capucins, open Monday from 11:30am to 6:00pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30am to 6:00pm. www.namur.lu

Kaempff-Kohler Boutiques and Restaurant:
The pair of shops and a restaurant are well-known, as they connect the two main squares - Place Guillaume II and Place d’Armes. Located downtown, at 18 Place Guillaume, Kaempff-Kohler was founded in 1922 as a pastry shop. This family-run business has now expanded and offers a large selection of sweet and savoury treats. Their specialty ‘Cacolettes’, a 35-seat classic restaurant, has a wine and cheese shop next door with a good selection of local products. www.kaempff-kohler.lu

Part of a very old Luxembourgish tradition, a Peckvillchen is a ceramic whistle in the form of a bird, made especially for Emaishen, the whistle festival held each year on Easter Monday. It is an annual tradition for families to bring their children to the Fish Market in the centre of Luxembourg City and choose a bird whistle from the wide array of stalls. The most famous come from the village of Nospelt, in the south-west of the country. The centre of Luxembourg’s ceramics industry in the 19th century, when there were 17 potteries in the village, production wound down in the early 20th century. However, the tradition of producing Peckvillchen was revived in 1937 by residents of the village and today Nospelt is synonymous with these little bird whistles. Luckily, you don’t need to wait for Easter Monday to come around again to get your own Peckvillchen. A number of shops downtown, as well as the Tourist Office, sell the whistles in a variety of colours and styles starting from €8.

Butteck Um Feschmaart, located at 10 rue Sigefroi, is a long-standing souvenir shop in the old town. Selling everything Luxembourg, from wines and beers to t-shirts and tote bags, the shop also offers a selection of colourful Peckvillchen. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

Directly across from Butteck Um Feschmaart, on Marché-aux-Poissons, is the National Museum of History and Art. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Thursday until 8:00pm, the large shop offers an excellent selection of gift items inspired by the museum collection. Besides many replicas of artifacts from around the world, you can also find here small statues and figures from Luxembourg, as well as a number of landscape paintings. www.mnha.public.lu

Editions Museal is the place to find beautiful, high-quality Luxembourg gifts. Located at 19 rue du St. Esprit, a small cobblestone street near the City History Museum, it boasts a display case full of Peckvillchen, in addition to interesting sculpture, both historical and modern. This is a shop definitely not to be missed. www.boutique.museal.com

Find quality reproductions of pieces by Luxembourgish sculptors from the 12th to 20th centuries or even of ancient artifacts found in the region. Alternatively, discover the work of contemporary artists imaginatively treating traditional themes. Reproductions include the ‘Renert’ fox sculpture based on the original sculpture that stands in Place Guillaume II, inspired by the famous writer Michel Rodange, as well as a Gallo-Roman bronze wild boar sculpture dating from the first century A.D. Contemporary works cover a broad range of styles, with artists like Jeannot Bewing and Pascale Seil often inspired by history and legend. Pieces start from about €200.

Located at Place Guillaume II, Luxembourg City’s excellent tourist office not only offers multi-lingual advice from knowledgeable and friendly staff and a wide variety of helpful publications, but provides one-stop gift shopping. The small display case is filled with the best souvenirs available, from Peckvillchen whistles to the ‘Renert’ fox sculpture. Open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am. www.lcto.lu

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Thursday until 8:00pm, the National Museum of History and Art’s large gift shop offers an excellent selection of interesting items inspired by the museum collections. Besides many replicas of artifacts from around the world, you can also find here small statues and figures from Luxembourg, as well as a number of landscape paintings. www.mnha.public.lu

Editions Museal is the place to find beautiful, high-quality Luxembourg gifts. Located at 19 rue du St. Esprit, a small cobblestone street near the City History Museum, it holds a large selection of interesting sculpture, both historical and modern. With other Luxembourgish specialties, such as Peckvillchen and eau-de-vie gift sets, this is a shop not to be missed! www.boutique.museal.com

Luxembourg’s Moselle region is famous for its wine, a tradition that began in Roman times. These white wines are light and fresh, and include the popular ‘Cremant’ that is the Luxembourgish version of champagne and served on special occasions. Luxembourgers are rightfully proud of their light and sparkling drink, which regularly wins awards against French rivals. Along with Cremant de Luxembourg, two other award-winning wines are Pinot Gris Rousemer and Riesling Ehnen Wousselt Vieilles Vignes. A visit to the Moselle region for wine-tasting at vineyards is a perfect way to discover these wines, but if you stay in the city, you’ll find them easily available at specialty shops and supermarkets. Bottles start at under €10.

Kaempff-Kohler Boutiques and Restaurant:
The pair of shops and a restaurant are well-known, as they connect the two main squares - Place Guillaume II and Place d’Armes. Located downtown, at 18 Place Guillaume, Kaempff-Kohler was founded in 1922 as a pastry shop. This family-run business has now expanded and offers a large selection of sweet and savoury treats. Their specialty ‘Cacolettes’, a 35-seat classic restaurant, has a wine and cheese shop next door with a good selection of local products. www.kaempff-kohler.lu

Vinilux and More:
Located at 1-5 rue du Marché aux Herbes, just up the street from the Grand Ducal palace, this boutique in the centre of Luxembourg City has a large selection of wines and spirits both local and from around the world. The knowledgeable owner will help you find exactly what you are looking for and suggest interesting options. Make sure to check out their weekly wine tastings. Open Monday to Saturday. www.viniluxandmore.com

Butteck Um Feschmaart:
Butteck Um Feschmaart, located at 10 rue Sigefroi, is a long-standing souvenir shop in the old town. Selling everything Luxembourg, from wines and beers to t-shirts and tote bags, the shop also offers a selection of colourful Peckvillchen. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

The home of many traditional handicrafts, Luxembourg continues to celebrate its heritage with a number of ateliers around the country. Meet artisans skilled in pottery, candle-making, drapery and more by visiting their workshops where you can learn about their craft and purchase their handmade products. The Haute Sûre region is a good place to start, with a variety of ateliers and a boutique selling handicrafts from around the country. Products range from practical to decorative, and unique knickknacks can be had for just a few euros.

Markets:
Luxembourg’s many markets are excellent places to find handmade crafts. Many take place bi-weekly or once a month, while special markets are held on various holidays. The market on Place Guillaume II, held every Wednesday and Saturday until 2:00pm, features regional food and some handicrafts. The Easter Monday market, with its handmade Peckvillchen bird whistles as well as the large and lively Christmas market in Place d’Armes, are perfect places to find a unique gift. www.maart.lu

Schmaach em de Sei a mei:
This cafe and shop is a perfect place to have a cup of coffee and do some relaxed shopping after visiting attractions in the picture-perfect town of Esch-sur-Sûre. The shop not only serves delicious desserts, it also sells handicrafts from the Haute Sûre region and the rest of Luxembourg. www.emdeseiamei.lu

Workshops:
If you have a particular type of gift in mind, the best option is to find a workshop specializing in the craft you’re interested in. The national tourism website provides contact information for artisans practising crafts, including ceramics, foundry and glass-blowing. www.ont.lu

Luxembourg is well-known for its metal industry and today you can still find cast-iron hearthstones depicting various motifs, coats-of-arms or religious scenes. Visit the National Museum of History and Art to learn about the history of the craft and see some beautiful examples. You can then pick up your own piece of history at the museum gift shop or at souvenir shops around town. Prices range from €10 to €250, depending on quality and size.

Editions Museal is the place to find beautiful, high-quality gifts from Luxembourg. Located at 19 rue du St. Esprit, a small cobblestone street near the City History Museum, it has a number of cast-iron wall plaques, as well as a large selection of interesting sculpture, both historical and modern. With other Luxembourgish specialties on offer, such as Peckvillchen and eau-de-vie gift sets, this is a shop not to be missed! www.boutique.museal.com

A favourite flavour in the Benelux region, speculoos can be found in everything - from ice cream to chocolate, or even as a spreadable paste. The thin, brown spice biscuits with a design stamped on the front are a very popular accompaniment to coffee in Luxembourg, and you’re likely to find one on your saucer if you order coffee in a cafe. Speculoos biscuits can be found in any large supermarket and, with some searching, you can spot it in many other products. Check the chocolate-spread section to find the unique speculoos spread, a thick paste that can be spread on toasts or crepes. Though the biscuits are easy to find, Oberweis sells them in an attractive package for gift-giving for just €6.

Oberweis:
Founded in 1964, this family-run business is an official supplier to the Grand Ducal family. Although originally chocolate-maker, today the company offers a vast array of other sweet delights at five locations around Luxembourg City. Their main shop, at 19-21 Grand-Rue, has an upstairs dining area and is open from 7:30am to 6:15pm Monday to Friday, and from 8:00am to 6:15pm on Saturday. www.oberweis.lu

According to a legend, Count Siegfried, who founded Luxembourg in 963, married the water-faerie Melusina who used magic to make the Castle of Lucilinburhuc (today Luxembourg Castle) appear on the Bock promontory. As a condition to marry her, Siegfried had to give her one day and night of privacy each month. Eventually, he became very curious about this and peeked through the keyhole while she was bathing, and was shocked to discover that she had a fishtail. Melusina immediately noticed that he was watching and escaped into the Alzette river, never to return. Oberweis, the famous Luxembourg chocolate house, pays tribute to this legend with a chocolate truffle, called Melusina, sold in gift boxes for about €10.

Oberweis:
Founded in 1964, this family-run business is an official supplier to the Grand Ducal family. Although originally chocolate-maker, today the company offers a vast array of other sweet delights at five locations around Luxembourg City. Their main shop, at 19-21 Grand-Rue, has an upstairs dining area and is open from 7:30am to 6:15pm Monday to Friday, and from 8:00am to 6:15pm on Saturday. www.oberweis.lu

Beer has been a favourite drink of Luxembourgers for centuries. Enjoyed daily in pubs, restaurants and cafes around the country, the generally light beer is even used in some local dishes. There are many popular breweries and you will see their different signs swinging from the front of bars and restaurants. Bofferding, Battin, Diekirch, Mousel, and Simon are the most common, but there are also several smaller breweries producing craft beers, such as Okult and Beierhaascht. Most restaurants will have a number of beers on tap, so go ahead and try them all. Luxembourg beer is easily found in supermarkets, but a visit to a brewery can complete the experience.

The Simon Brewery, located at 14 rue Joseph Simon in Wiltz, welcomes visitors for brewery tours by reservation. Founded in 1894, the company produces seven types of beer, including the organic Okult brand. Discover a brand that is enjoyed around the country, and take your favourite beer home with you. www.simon.lu

Beierhaascht is a craft brewery, located in Bascharage at 240 avenue de Luxembourg, produces five types of beer, ranging from light to dark. Brewed according to German purity standards, dating from 1516, the beer can be enjoyed at the brewery’s restaurant and hotel. With guided brewery tours and events, Beierhaascht makes a great day or weekend trip. Reservations necessary. www.beierhaascht.lu

Luxembourg has a long tradition of fruit spirits and liqueurs. All natural spirits produced in the country and meeting certain quality standards are granted the ‘Marque National’. This applies also to the spirits made from many local fruits, including the Mirabelle plum and Neelch pear, which are cultivated in Luxembourg and the surrounding region. Liqueurs can often contain a blend of many ingredients, such as the Elixir de Mondorf, a sweet digestive made from 30 different plants. Some others worth trying include the honey-based Hunningdrëpp, nut-based Nössdrëpp and Pere Blanc, a plant-based liqueur with a secret recipe dating back to 1891.

Vinilux and More:
Located at 1-5 rue du Marché aux Herbes, just up the street from the Grand Ducal palace, this boutique in the centre of Luxembourg City has a large selection of wines and spirits both local and from around the world. The knowledgeable owner will help you find exactly what you are looking for and suggest interesting options. Make sure to check out their weekly wine tastings. Open Monday to Saturday. www.viniluxandmore.lu

Luxembourg, though small, produces an impressive array of regional foods. Especially notable are the cheeses, such as the soft spread ‘kachkeis’, and a wide variety of meats, including Judd smoked ham and Riesling pâté. Luxembourg has its own national dairy company, Luxlait, which produces high-quality dairy items. Other foods to look out for are honey and jam, especially those made from the local Quetsche and Mirabelle plum. Local food is very popular and can be found at neighbourhood delicatessens, markets, specialty boutiques and large supermarkets.

Markets:
A perfect place to buy local food straight from producers is a wide variety of Luxembourg’s markets. Many take place bi-weekly or on a monthly basis, while special markets are organised for different holidays. The large market on Place Guillaume II and smaller one on Place de Paris are held every Wednesday and Saturday until 2:00pm, featuring regional food: fresh produce, spices, cheeses and meats. www.maart.lu

Oberweis:
Founded in 1964, this family-run business is an official supplier to the Grand Ducal family. Although originally chocolate-maker, today the company offers a vast array of other sweet delights at five locations around Luxembourg City. Their main shop, at 19-21 Grand-Rue, has an upstairs dining area and is open from 7:30am to 6:15pm Monday to Friday, and from 8:00am to 6:15pm on Saturday. www.oberweis.lu

Salaisons Marco Meyer:
This award-winning butcher’s connected to the Beierhaascht brewery is the largest producer of ham in Luxembourg. Go on a guided tour to learn about their traditional methods of smoking meat and taste their products at the Beierhaascht restaurant. Salaisons Marco Meyer hams and other meat products can be purchased at the on-site shop, at 240 avenue de Luxembourg in Bascharage. www.meyer.lu

Schmaach em de Sei a mei:
This cafe and shop is a perfect place to have a cup of coffee and do some relaxed shopping after visiting attractions in the picture-perfect town of Esch-sur-Sure. The shop not only serves delicious desserts, but also sells local food products and handicrafts from the Haute Sure region, as well as the rest of Luxembourg. www.emdeseiamei.lu

For its small size, Luxembourg has a fair number of creative jewelry designers. From quirky items made from recycled fabrics, worth just a few euros apiece, to gorgeous high-end designs selling for hundreds of euros and more, everyone is guaranteed here to find something suiting their taste and lifestyle. You’ll find many jewelry workshops and showrooms simply by roaming the winding streets of Luxembourg City’s old town and, if you’re interested in something particularly elegant, note that many shops selling watches also have their own signature jewelry lines.

Boutique Léa:
Located at the edge of the old town across from the Badeanstalt swimming pool, at 13 rue des Bains, Boutique Léa offers two higher-end collections, ‘Couture’ and ‘Precieuse’. Their chic white-on-grey shop is open Monday from 2:00pm to 6:30pm and Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am to 6:30pm. www.bylea.com

Fabienne Bellenou:
If you are looking for an extra-special gift, make sure to stop by Fabienne Bellnou’s atelier-boutique in the centre of the town, at 26 rue Philippe II. Her exquisite designs for women, men and children are as much unique as they are wearable. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. www.fabiennebelnou.com

Chez Lucy:
If you venture out of Luxembourg City, be sure to stop by Lucy’s shop at 23 rue de Luxembourg in Esch-sur-Alzette. Open Monday to Saturday, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, Chez Lucy features jewellery and other accessories to suit every budget, all created by young designers from Luxembourg and around the world. www.chezlucy.lu