Pfaffenthal Leisure Walk (Self Guided), Luxembourg

Away from the city bustle is Pfaffenthal, a small village in central Luxembourg City that delights with its picturesque location in the Alzette valley and mix of character-filled old and modern buildings. Come here to recharge your batteries and to enjoy the genteel ambience. This is one of the oldest districts of the Capital of the Grand Duchy and it still has relics of its Roman past. Included in this are parts of the Roman road from Reims to Trier that crosses the Alzette River.

Take a leisurely stroll along the quiet village streets, including Rue Saint-Mathieu and Rue Vauban. See the well-preserved Vauban Towers, the name given to the Eich Gate and Bons-Malades Gate that were once part of the city’s strategic defences. They were built toward the end of the 17th century by noted French military engineer, Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban. Although they didn’t hold artillery weapons, the Vauban Towers were designed so that soldiers could fire their muskets from here at advancing enemy troops.

Between the two tower-like gatehouses is a narrow bridge that spans the river. Enjoy the views of the waterway and surrounding countryside from here. For more than 20 years, Pfaffenthal has been part of the protected area of the Alzette valley in a buffer zone on UNESCO's World Hertiage list. This provides it with an extra layer of protection.