Museums & culture

Grand Ducal Palace

11.5 min read

Ornate Flemish Renaissance facade of the Grand Ducal Palace on Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes

Built in 1573 as the town hall of Luxembourg City, the palace on Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes has been the official city residence of the Grand Duke since 1890. Its ornate facade, with slender turrets and Moorish-influenced stonework, was designed by Antwerp masons and is one of the finest surviving pieces of Flemish Renaissance architecture outside Belgium. Two ceremonial guards from the Grand Ducal army stand at the door year-round; the guard change happens every two hours.

The interior can only be visited on guided tours during the six or seven weeks the Grand Duke is on his summer holidays, roughly mid-July through early September. Tours last 60 minutes, run in English, French, German and Luxembourgish, and must be booked through the Luxembourg City Tourist Office on Place Guillaume II. Tickets sell out fast: reserve at least two weeks ahead. Photography inside is not permitted.

Hours

Guided tours mid-July to early September only

Mon-Fri 14:00-17:00 (tour departures)

Sat 09:30-16:00 · Closed Wednesdays

Frequently asked questions

What is the ticket price?

Adult guided tour tickets are $16, students and seniors $12, children 6-18 $8, under-6s not admitted for security reasons.

Is there ever free entry?

The interior is never free. The public balcony appearance on National Day (23 June) is free to watch from Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes.

How long does the visit take?

The guided tour lasts 55 to 60 minutes. Add 10 minutes for the security check on arrival.

When is the palace closed?

The interior is only open mid-July to early September, and closed all Wednesdays even in that window. Exact 2025 dates are published in June at monarchie.lu.

Do I have to book in advance?

Yes. Tours must be booked through the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (luxembourg-city.com) and typically sell out 2-3 weeks ahead.

Where do I get off the bus?

Badanster stop on Boulevard Roosevelt, then a 4-minute walk up Rue Chimay to Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes.