The Palace of the Grand Dukes opens its doors to visitors

Until the end of August, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, which is usually closed to the general public, is once again open to visitors. This summer, residents and visitors to the capital have a rare opportunity to explore the official residence and workplace of Grand Duke Guillaume.

The tour does not begin at the main entrance to the palace, but at Place Guillaume II. As Gaby Limpach-Theis, a guide with the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, points out Gaby Limpach-Theis, before entering the building, visitors are given a detailed account of the history of the House of Nassau, the architectural features of the complex and its original function as the town hall. The main aim of the introductory section is to give visitors a deeper understanding of the historical context and the evolution of the ruling dynasty.

The tour of the interiors begins with the historic Baden Wing. The first stop on the tour is the Hall of the Scales (Salle de la Balance), whose stained-glass windows are adorned with the monograms of all the monarchs who have occupied the Luxembourg throne since the time of Grand Duke Adolphe. The tour then proceeds through the oldest part of the palace, including the Armoury (Salle d’Armes) with its display of antique pistols and rifles, as well as the Gallery of Honour (Galerie d’Honneur). The latter features a grand staircase and massive vases made of green malachite, which traditionally attract particular attention from the public. The gallery offers a view of the ballroom and the dining room. According to Gaby Limpach-Theis, although the ballroom remains the highlight of the programme, this season visitors are particularly interested in the new official portraits of Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie are attracting particular interest from visitors this season.

Ten tours are held daily at the palace in four different languages. A standard tour lasts around 75 minutes, and is led by around 40 certified guides. It takes around a year to train each guide, as they are required not only to be fluent in several languages but also to have a thorough understanding of both the historical and contemporary significance of the palace. Tickets are sold through the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, with visitors noting high demand and the difficulty of booking places. As in previous years, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Foundation to support the royal family’s social and charitable initiatives.