Guided Tours Offer Glimpse Behind Scenes at Grand Ducal Palace

On Monday 17 July 2023, Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to join an English-language guided tour of the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg-Ville.

Each summer, for six weeks, the Grand Ducal Palace exceptionally opens its doors to the public for a series of tours organised by the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (LCTO).

On the English-language tour on Monday afternoon, a knowledegable local tour guide called Germain detailed the origins of the palace: the site formerly housed the town hall of Luxembourg City, which was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1554 and rebuilt 20 years later; the current building has served, since 1890, as the official residence of the Grand Ducal family and the place where the Grand Duke of Luxembourg carries out his official duties. Note that the principal residence of the current Grand Duke and Grand Duchess is Berg Castle in Colmar-Berg.

Germain presented the links between the history of the palace (and its rather unique architectural style) and that of the Luxembourgish monarchy and the Grand Duchy itself, noting the many years of foreign rule and different dynasties before the country became a sovereign and independent state in the first half of the 19th century. He also touched upon Luxembourg's political system as a parliamentary democracy in the form of a constitutional monarchy (with the Grand Duke as head of state) and some of the more challenging moments in the history of the monarchy, such as the tumultous events surrounding the First World War that led to a double referendum on Luxembourg's political future in 1919: ultimately, the people voted to keep the monarchy, albeit under a different ruler (then Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide, who had been accused of German sympathies, would be replaced by her sister Charlotte- grandmother of the current Grand Duke).

Visitors on Monday afternoon included Luxembourg residents and tourists alike, representing European countries such as Spain, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands as well as the United States and Israel, among others. During the tour, Germain shared some facts and anecdotes that even surprised some of the locals present.

This year, up to seven guided tours per day are taking place at the Grand Ducal Palace from 17 July to 3 September 2023. Each visit lasts approximately 75 minutes and tours are offered in English, French, German and Luxembourgish. Tickets cost €15 for adults and €7.50 for children aged four to twelve; entry is free for children under the age of four.

The guided tours depart from in front of the LCTO in Place Guillaume II in Luxembourg-Ville. The English-language tour on Monday began with explanations outside the palace before visitors could move inside and explore lesser-known parts of the palace interior - renovation works have just begun in a part that is normally accessible to the public in summer so visitors this year can take the opportunity to admire the regal decor and learn about the Grand Ducal family in less-visited parts of the palace, including where special guests stay during state visits to Luxembourg.

Further information about these guided tours is available on the LCTO website: https://www.luxembourg-city.com/en.