The '''Province of Luxembourg''' is the southernmost and largest province in the Wallonia region of Belgium. It is bordered to the east by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and to the southwest by France. It is divided between the Belgian Ardennes to the north and Gaume to the south. It has around 270 000 inhabitants.

Regions

Ardennes

The Ardennes is a hilly countryside region, the most sparsely populated in Benelux, and covered with forests. It is a popular tourist destination, especially for Dutch and Flemish people. It occupies the northern two-thirds of the province.

Gaume

'''Gaume''' is the Belgian part of Lorraine, and occupies the southernmost tip of the province.

Cities

  • Arlon, administration center for the province
  • Bastogne, center of the ''Battle of the bulge''
  • Other destinations

  • Orval, a beautiful trappist abbey
  • Bouillon, hometown of the famous crusader, and home to a well-preserved castle
  • Durbuy, claims to be the world's smallest village. Some love it and others consider it a quitessential tourist trap but anyone can enjoy the walk there from nearby Barveau.
  • Barveau, see above; it is actually a good centre in its own right for beginners' canoeing on the river Ourthe.
  • Torgny, southernmost village in Belgium, and dubbed most beautiful village of Wallonia.
  • Understand

    The province of Luxembourg was once part of the same body as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. When Belgium was created, both Luxembourgs were part of the newly born country, but after Dutch demands, the culturally German part of the region (Grand Duchy) was split from Belgium, while the Romance-speaking (the province) stayed within the country.

    Talk

    French is the language spoken everywhere since its imposition in school. Nevertheless, a number of traditional languages are still spoken or understood by part of the population, especially in most rural areas:
  • The Ardennes version of ''Walloon'', in the Ardennes
  • ''Gaumais'' in the south
  • ''Luxemburgish'', a germanic language, closely related to German, with several French loan words, near the border
  • Dutch is spoken in most tourist places in the north of the province, because of large numbers of Dutch visitors during the summer. But even though most Belgians will have learned Dutch at school, you'll be better off with English in areas less used to tourists. Most young people will have at least basic understanding of English, and you should be able to sort out most things with it. German is spoken by some, especially near the Luxemburgish border.

    Get in

    Car

    The province is served mainly by two motorways, that meet near Neufchateau, in the center:
  • The E411 that links Brussels to Luxembourg
  • The E25 that links Liege to Neufchateau
  • Most of the province is within 1-2 hours rides from Brussels and 40-90 minutes from Liege. Arlon is 20 minutes from Luxembourg.

    Train

    The ''Brussels-Luxembourg'' line has four main stop in the province:
  • Marloie (1h40 from Brussels, 40' from Namur)
  • Libramont (2h, 1h)
  • Marbehan (2h20, 1h20)
  • Arlon (2h40, 1h40)
  • Trains leave both way every hour from 6 am to 10 pm.

    Get around

    Car

    The province is well served by a network of paved road. Those suffer from the relatively harsher climate of the province, and can be snowy during winter and present potholes at all times.

    Train

    A number of local lines provide good service for some destination within the province:
  • Libramont-Bertrix
  • Arlon-Virton-Florenville-Bertrix
  • Marloie-Liege
  • Schedules can be found [http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/ here].

    Bicycle

    Some cycling path exist, but are often badly maintained making the road a safer choice. However, the province is full of small beautiful roads that are not much used by cars and are in good state. Be careful however that countryside is more hilly than in the rest of the country, and you can find yourself in front of short but steep and frequent slopes.

    Walk

    Forests make a wonderful place to walk. A large number of path cross them, and most municipalities have traced some paths, with signs and possibly maps at the local tourism office. A number of long-distance paths also cross the province, such as the ''Transardennaise'', and GR15.

    Bus

    ''Tec'', the regional public transportation service provides a good network between towns and villages of the province, and one should find it possible to reach even the most remote village with public transportations, even though buses might be sparse on some lines (typically schools schedule to bring students to high school). Info can be found [http://www.infotec.be here].

    See

  • ''Tombeau du Geant'' or Giant's Grave is one typical and scenic bend of the river ''Semois'', surrounded by steep hills. Near Bouillon
  • Memorial of the ''Battle of the Bulge'' in Bastogne
  • Medieval castle in Bouillon
  • ''Fourneau Saint-Michel'' shows a reconstitution of a traditional village, and a museum about the Mining past of the region. Near Saint-Hubert
  • Do

  • Kayak on the Semois or the Ourthe. From Chiny downward on the Semois, and on the last part of the Ourthe, you should find kayak rental in plenty, provided that the water level enables you to enjoy a ride.
  • Walk in the countryside, Ardennes valley and provinces have many beautiful corners to be discovered by feet
  • Eat

    As in the rest of Belgium, quality of food in Belgium is very good. However, fast foods and foreign food is popular, and it might be difficult sometimes to find a real local specialist.
  • ''Le Buffet de la Gare'' in Marbehan serves typical food, like ''Pate Gaumais''.
  • Drink

    Belgium is the country of Beer, and the province of Luxembourg doesn't escape the rule, with several small breweries scattered around. Among them we can discover the ''Rulles'', the ''Chouffe'',... Some locals distillate their own liquor from fruits (plum, apple...), but those are not readily available, and you're only chance to taste it is to be invited by one of them. In Arlon, a local white vine, the ''Maitrank'', aromatised with woodruff is very popular, and is celebrated every year in a festival, the ''Fetes du Maitrank''.

    Stay safe

    The province, as the rest of Belgium is a very safe place. However, some fights might occur at the end of villages 'bals' where heavy drinking is involved. However, those happen usually between local youngsters, and basic precaution will avoid any trouble, and you will find your stay a very peaceful experience.

    Get out

  • Luxembourg is only 20 minutes from Arlon, and is an enjoyable city, with old walls
  • Avioth, in France demonstrate a spectacular Basilica in the tiny village, and Montmedy has an old Vauban Fortress