Villa Vauban, Luxembourg
Welcome to Villa Vauban – Luxembourg City Art Museum (Musée d’Art de la Ville de Luxembourg), a charming art museum nestled in the heart of Luxembourg City’s 19‑hectare Parc Municipal. Originally built in 1873 on the site of a former Vauban fortification, the elegant neoclassical villa was constructed as a private bourgeois residence and later gifted to the city. Today, its basement reveals striking remnants of the old fortress wall, blending fortress history with refined architecture.
Renovated and expanded between 2004 and 2010 by Diane Heirend & Philippe Schmit architectes, Villa Vauban now merges its historic mansion with a modern copper-clad extension, awarded the TECO Architecture Award in 2010. This harmonious dialogue between old and new sets the stage for a serene cultural experience at the edge of the lush municipal park designed by landscape architect Edouard Andre.
Inside, visitors embark on A Stroll Through Art, the museum’s permanent exhibition showcasing European paintings and sculptures from the 17th to 19th centuries. Highlights include Dutch Golden Age works by artists such as Jan Steen, Gerrit Dou, and Cornelis Bega, alongside evocative 19th‑century French landscapes from painters like Eugène Delacroix and Jules Dupré. The collection was assembled from three major private legacies-Jean‑Pierre Pescatore, Leo Lippmann, and Jodoc Frédéric Hochhertz-and continues to grow via donations and acquisitions.
Complementing its permanent galleries, Villa Vauban offers rotating exhibitions of Luxembourgish contemporary art and European works through the 21st century, alongside immersive installations and family workshops. Visitors especially enjoy the peaceful setting, ample natural light, and often uncrowded galleries that invite a relaxed and thoughtful viewing experience. With free entry on certain Fridays and discounted options available via Luxembourg Pass and cultural cards, Villa Vauban makes art accessible in an elegant urban oasis.
Why You Should Visit:
Not overwhelming like so many museums can be – just an impressive collection of art with a good audio guide in English, and if nothing else, you can sit and relax in the beautiful garden (no entry fee).
Tip:
Check the website before committing to a visit, as their temporary exhibitions may not be for everyone.
Renovated and expanded between 2004 and 2010 by Diane Heirend & Philippe Schmit architectes, Villa Vauban now merges its historic mansion with a modern copper-clad extension, awarded the TECO Architecture Award in 2010. This harmonious dialogue between old and new sets the stage for a serene cultural experience at the edge of the lush municipal park designed by landscape architect Edouard Andre.
Inside, visitors embark on A Stroll Through Art, the museum’s permanent exhibition showcasing European paintings and sculptures from the 17th to 19th centuries. Highlights include Dutch Golden Age works by artists such as Jan Steen, Gerrit Dou, and Cornelis Bega, alongside evocative 19th‑century French landscapes from painters like Eugène Delacroix and Jules Dupré. The collection was assembled from three major private legacies-Jean‑Pierre Pescatore, Leo Lippmann, and Jodoc Frédéric Hochhertz-and continues to grow via donations and acquisitions.
Complementing its permanent galleries, Villa Vauban offers rotating exhibitions of Luxembourgish contemporary art and European works through the 21st century, alongside immersive installations and family workshops. Visitors especially enjoy the peaceful setting, ample natural light, and often uncrowded galleries that invite a relaxed and thoughtful viewing experience. With free entry on certain Fridays and discounted options available via Luxembourg Pass and cultural cards, Villa Vauban makes art accessible in an elegant urban oasis.
Why You Should Visit:
Not overwhelming like so many museums can be – just an impressive collection of art with a good audio guide in English, and if nothing else, you can sit and relax in the beautiful garden (no entry fee).
Tip:
Check the website before committing to a visit, as their temporary exhibitions may not be for everyone.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Luxembourg. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Villa Vauban on Map
Sight Name: Villa Vauban
Sight Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg (See walking tours in Luxembourg)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg (See walking tours in Luxembourg)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Create Your Own Walk in Luxembourg
Creating your own self-guided walk in Luxembourg is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Luxembourg Introduction Walking Tour
The capital city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is known as Luxembourg City. The Romans had built small forts here that guarded two roads that passed through. But it was Count Seigfried in 963 who began the town by building a castle on the Bock promontory. A small church followed on the site of present day St. Michael’s Church. Soon a community sprang up along the Roman road.
Bock Rock... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Bock Rock... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Chocolates and Pastries Walking Tour
A tiny European nation wedged between Belgium, France, and Germany, Luxembourg may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of chocolate and pastry. Still, the country's capital, Luxembourg City, has a burgeoning confectionery scene that can successfully compete with its renowned Belgian and French counterparts.
One must-visit spot for pastry enthusiasts here is La... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
One must-visit spot for pastry enthusiasts here is La... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Souvenir Shopping Tour
Luxembourg, a picturesque European nation, offers a delightful array of souvenir shopping experiences, allowing you to carry a piece of its charm back home.
Start your journey at the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, where you can acquire traditional souvenirs such as postcards and keychains, along with valuable information about the city's attractions.
The Market on Place Guillaume II is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Start your journey at the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, where you can acquire traditional souvenirs such as postcards and keychains, along with valuable information about the city's attractions.
The Market on Place Guillaume II is... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Sourvenir Shopping: 16 Unique Things to Buy in Luxembourg
Let alone their products, what does the rest of the world know or hear, in general, about Luxembourg other than the Duke of Luxembourg or Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) which is in Paris after all? Unless you live nearby (France, Germany or Belgium) and have frequently visited the country,...