Discover the Minett region: a hidden gem in Luxembourg

The Minett region is located in southern Luxembourg and it is a true hidden gem. There are hardly any tourists and it is surprisingly beautiful! A few tips.

Table of contents hide

1 What is the Minett region?

2 Things to do in the Minett region

3 The best time to visit the Minett region

4 Staying overnight in the Minett region

5 Book a trip to Luxembourg

6 Read more about Luxembourg

What is the Minett region?

The Minett region lies in the south of Luxembourg, between the capital and the French border. This region has an eventful past inextricably linked to the iron industry.

Iron ore has been mined here since Roman times, triggering an economic boom and leading to the development of numerous mining towns and villages. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries were the heyday of iron mining in the Minett, with Esch-sur-Alzette as the beating heart of the industry.

Fun fact: Minett means “little mine.” In fact, the area where iron was mined is largely in France and only a small part of it is in Luxembourg. Hence the French jokingly called it “Minett.” And voilà, the name of the region was born.

The mines attracted workers from all over Europe, resulting in a multicultural society in the Minett. However, the glory days of the iron industry were not long-lasting. In the 1960s and 1970s, the mines slowly closed their doors, which had a huge impact on the region. The consequences of mine closure were unemployment, vacancy, and pollution.

But the Minettregio did not give up. Instead of lamenting the past, they committed themselves to a new future. The focus came to be on conservation, tourism, and sustainable development. Old mining sites were turned into natural parks, while charming villages and towns were restored.

Today, the Minett region is a green oasis with a fascinating industrial heritage. An incredibly beautiful area to explore and it has not yet been discovered by the masses.

Things to do in the Minett region

What is there to see and do in the Minett region? I got a taste of the hospitality of the Luxembourgers for a few days and discovered many beautiful places in the Minett as a result. These are some of the most fun and interesting sights in Minett.

Fond-de-Gras (Minett Park)

Want to learn more about the mining industry in the Minett region? Then a visit to Fond-de-Gras, also known as Minett Park, is a perfect starting point. This former iron ore mining area is now an open-air museum with several historic buildings. These are mostly from other places in the Minett region and give a good idea of past life in and around the mine.

You can check out an old store and an historic train station. But what makes visiting Minett Park really special is to go for a ride on 1900 train, which is an old steam train. You’ll travel over the “mining line” that was opened in 1874 to transport iron ore from the mines. A great experience!

The Minett region in the south of Luxembourg

The train runs on Sundays from spring through fall, and several times on Thursdays and Saturdays in the summer. For more information, visit the website of the park.

Prënzebierg – Giele Botter

Prënzebierg – Giele Botter is actually part of Fond-de-Gras, but this former open pit mine also gets a special place on this list of beautiful sights in the Minett region. In fact, this man-made landscape is now a beautiful area for hiking. Among other things, you’ll walk past unique rock formations, have beautiful views and occasionally even spot an old mine.

The most fun way to explore the area is by walking the discovery trail. This trail has a length of 7.7 kilometers and takes about 2 hours to complete. It will lead you past the most beautiful places in the area. Check this page for more information and the route.

The blast furnaces of Belval

Belval is a district of Esch-sur-Alzette, the second largest city in the country after Luxembourg City. What makes Belval so special is that the neighborhood is built on the remnants of an old steel mill. For example, four large blast furnaces used to stand here. The modern district, barely 20 years old, is now the most important place in Luxembourg when it comes to knowledge and science. In fact, it is also home to Luxembourg’s only university.

It is an incredibly interesting neighborhood to explore, as historic factory buildings and modern structures alternate and fit together seamlessly. For example, visit the impressive library, where you’ll see how historic elements are integrated into a state-of-the-art building.

Two of the four blast furnaces can still be found in the area, these are blast furnaces A and B. B is mostly there for aesthetic reasons, but visiting blast furnace A is one of the best things to do in Belval. Here you can see how they made iron beams from the mined iron ore, and as a bonus, from a platform 40 meters above the street, you have a beautiful view of Belval, Esch-sur-Alzette, the green hills, and France.

Ellergronn

On the other side of Esch-sur-Alzette you will find the Ellergronn Nature Reserve, this is a UNESCO biosphere. This area was also used for iron ore mining, so the landscape you’ll see is man-made. For example, you’ll spot some large holes (collapsed mining galleries) and you can see wide paths (the paths of the carts used to transport goods).

With the cessation of iron ore mining, several unusual plant and animal species have entered the landscape. This makes it a unique natural area. You can explore the area by going hiking or mountain biking, there are several routes laid out.

You can also learn more about the origins of the area and see some of the impressive fossils found here at the associated mining museum. Very interesting!

Check the official website for more information.

Esch-sur-Alzette

The bustling town of Esch-sur-Alzette is the cultural center of the Minett and also the largest town in the region. It is a great base from which to explore the area, and you can certainly have fun in the city itself as well.

For example, there are several museums, you can regularly see cool street art and you can enjoy plenty of snacks and drinks on one of the cozy terraces. And of course, you’re also in Belval and Ellergron in no time, allowing you to add great variety to your trip to Esch-sur-Alzette.

Musée des Mines de Fer Luxembourgeoises

This museum in Rumelange (also called the National Mining Museum) tells the story of Luxembourg’s iron industry. You can admire old machines, tools, and historic photos here. But the best thing to do is to join a tour. You get a helmet on and then board a little train that goes deep into the mines.

A guide then leads you around the mine. I found this a fantastic experience, as you really start with the beginning of iron mining and end with the big machines (when they could mine much less people, much more iron ore). Very fun and educational, and also a great place to visit with children. Next to the museum is a large playground.

Check the official website for more information and opening hours.

Dudelange

The charming town of Dudelange is located in the south of the Minett region, near the French border. I myself stayed here for two nights and it was a great place to use as a base to explore the region. It’s not too big, but that’s what makes it such a nice place.

In the center, it is fun to take a trip to Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, a large square with several beautiful historic buildings surrounding it. You will also find many nice restaurants here.

A little bit south of downtown, you suddenly find yourself in a more industrial area, which is renovated very nicely (and they haven’t even finished yet). For example, here you have an old water tower (now a museum) and the cool restaurant KANTIN. They have many (local) beers on tap and serve delicious food (including many vegetarian options). As far as I am concerned, Dudelange is one of the best places to stay in the Minett region.

The Minett Trail

Do you like to hike? Then Luxembourg is a fantastic place to visit, as the country is a true hiking paradise! One of the most enjoyable ways to explore the Minett region is to hike (a section of) the Minett Trail. This is a long-distance trail that runs from Clemency to Bettembourg, and then there are several circular walks.

In total, there are 90 kilometers of hiking trails and 10 different stages. All stages are easily accessible by (free!) public transportation, making it very easy to do separate day hikes.

You walk through different villages and towns, but also a lot through nature; past steep cliffs, dark forests, and beautiful viewpoints. You can see the mining past in many places; there are even regular informational signs along the trail. Personally, I found this one of the most fun things to do in the region, I feel like hiking gives you a different perspective and you get to know the region even better!

Read more: Hike the Minett Trail: discover the south of Luxembourg

The best time to visit the Minett region

The best time to visit the Minett region depends on what you want to do. For hiking and biking, spring (May-June) and fall (September-October) are ideal. Visiting the towns and villages is best done in the summer (July-August), with festivals and cozy terraces. Do you prefer winter atmospheres? Then December to February is perfect, with Christmas markets being the highlight.

Staying overnight in the Minett region

There are several places in the Minett region where you can spend a nice night. For example, there are Kabaischen (very special accommodations), but of course also hotels. These are some great places to stay while vacationing in the Minett region.

Kabaischen

Kabaischen are unique accommodations in the region and there are only 11 of them. You can think of small wrap-around houses, but you can also sleep in a cottage on the water or in an old train car. I myself slept in three different Kabaischen:

Pump it up!: A container with an inflated sphere on top, it looks like some kind of mushroom. It is located in Ellergronn Nature Reserve, near Esch-sur-Alzette.
Biergemer Kabaischen: In the village of Bergem, three wrap-around houses (tiny houses) stand on a green hill. They are so cute!
Floater: Spend the night on the water next to the old water tower in Dudelange. This is definitely a unique accommodation!

For all Kabaischen, check out Simpleviu’s website.

Special accommodation in Luxembourg - the Floater

Hotels

Of course, the Kabaischen are quickly booked up, but there are plenty of other great places to stay in the Minett region. How about for example:

Cottage Logis Hôtel (3⭐) – One of the best rated hotels in Dudelange, on a good location in the city center.
The Seven Hotel (4⭐) – Beautiful hotel in Esch-sur-Alzette. It is located on a hill in the greenery and from here you have a beautiful view of the city.
Threeland Hotel(4⭐) – This hotel in Pétange is a great base for exploring southwestern Luxembourg. Among other things, it is very close to Minett Park.

Check Booking.com for more options, prices, and availability. Keep in mind that in high season (July-August), it is best to book accommodation in advance.

Book a trip to Luxembourg

Have you become curious about the Minett region and would you like to visit this hidden gem in Luxembourg? Book your trip now!

🚆 Train tickets – Luxembourg is easily accessible by train from all over Europe. There are direct connections with cities in Belgium, Germany, and France. Check Rail Europe for train tickets and the schedule.

✈️ Plane tickets – Right next to Luxembourg city, you’ll find an international airport. From here, you can easily reach other places in Luxembourg. Check Skyscanner to find the best deals on plane tickets.

🤒 Travel Insurance – Accidents happen, which is why it is always smart to have travel insurance. Check Insubuy for options and prices.

🎒 Tours and activities – There is so much to discover in Luxembourg! Therefore, many fun tours are organized, from a city tour with wine tasting to an exploration of castles. Check out Get Your Guide for all the options.

Discover the Minett region: a hidden gem in Luxembourg

What is the Minett region?