Corniche Path

The Chemin de la Corniche, the finest balcony in Europe

The Luxembourg audio-guided tour takes you along the Chemin de la Corniche, nicknamed the finest balcony in Europe by the Luxembourgish writer Batty Weber. It follows the old ramparts and runs along the Alzette valley, from the Bock rock to the lower town.

Ramparts at the heart of European rivalries

The path follows the ramparts built in the seventeenth century by the Spanish and the French. From the 1540s, during the struggle between Charles V and Francis I, the city changed hands four times. It was finally the Habsburgs who gained sovereignty over Luxembourg and turned the fortified town into a powerful fortress, through works that would span centuries.

What there is to see

All along the path, the eye takes in the Alzette valley, the Grund district and the old fortifications. It is one of the finest walks in the city, dotted with spectacular viewpoints. The contrast between the stone of the ramparts and the greenery of the valley makes it an unforgettable route.

Practical information

The Chemin de la Corniche links the Bock rock to the lower town, running along the ramparts of Luxembourg. It can be walked freely at all hours and is mostly on the level. It is one of the flagship routes of the old town, listed as World Heritage.

Why is it called the finest balcony in Europe?

It was the Luxembourgish writer Batty Weber who gave the Chemin de la Corniche this nickname, for the superb views it offers over the Alzette valley and the Grund.

Who built the ramparts?

The ramparts the path follows were built in the seventeenth century by the Spanish and the French, then reinforced by the Habsburgs, who made the city a powerful fortress.