Weekend Get-Away to Vianden, Luxembourg
Landlocked Luxembourg Lends Location, Landmarks, and Locals
Aug 3, 2009
Vianden, Luxembourg sits along the River Our as it gazes up to the medieval castle hovering above the town. A stroll through the cobble stone streets and sidewalks sets the stage for the gray-thatched roof buildings that make up Vianden.
Vianden's Easy Location in Europe
Just shy of a three hour drive outside of Frankfurt, Germany and only a few minutes from the German border itself, Vianden is a perfect weekend, or even night get-away. Arriving in the afternoon will even allot for enough time to see tastes of what Vianden has to offer.
Luxembourg Castle and Chairlift Headed up Cloud Nine
The town's castle, first a possession of the Nassau dynasty, Vianden's official tourist site explains, is understandably the main attraction. As far back as Roman Empire glory, the Chateau's foundations go beyond medieval. One room is merely dedicated to show the progression from Roman times, to Medieval, on to the Renaissance, and present restorations.
Restored fairly recently, the Luxembourg government allows visitors to get a little personal by wandering through its halls, kitchen, and bedrooms. A castle tour would not be complete without mannequins dressed in chain mail and Medieval rags serving up cured meats just so every visitor can visualize "what it was really like" back in the day.
The Vianden chairlift may be somewhat overpriced for a four-minute ride up and a four-minute ride down, but it does offer the best opportunity for photos of the town, river and castle. Starting in the lower part of the town at 230m, Vianden's chairlift carries visitors in Noah's ark fashion, two by two. Almost getting too close for comfort as it flies over locals' backyards, in minutes the hanging chairs arrive at 440m to a café and Vianden's best view. A rocky trail from the café lends a back way to the town's castle.
Vianden Locals, Restaurants, and Shops
Vianden is the type of town where the hotel manager will ask you the next morning with the most concerned of faces whether you slept alright. One would not want to say no even if they did because it might just break a heart. People are not rude to travelers here, smiling ear to ear at seemingly the only market in town as they bid you merci.
With mostly restaurants in Vianden, someone may be encouraging visitors to eat. The outdoor cafes with people-watchers faced towards the street hint at Parisian influences, while most of the food takes on Austrian and German heartiness. From schnitzel to crepes, Vianden may be culturally confused or the perfect combination to the satisfied eater. A light stroll along the River Our, or better yet a jog, maybe a good idea for digestion. Perhaps the only compliant to the mystical atmosphere of Vianden are the large amount of bugs along the river in the summertime.
From hotels to restaurants, Vianden really only lacks those cutesy stores to bring home grandma the perfect memento. There are those classic tourist shops with everything labeled "Vianden" loudly. Victor Hugo said in 1863 of Vianden, "Your town is not well-known enough; it is not known as it should be. I shall do all I possibly can to make it better known and to contribute to its prosperity." Thank you Mr. Hugo then for the few tourist shops selling Vianden playing cards and shot glasses.
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