Clervaux Castle was founded in the 12th century by Count Gerhard of Sponheim and stands white and severe above the Clerve valley in the Ardennes. Badly damaged in the 1944 Battle of the Bulge, it was rebuilt in the 1950s and now houses three museums: the Battle of the Bulge display, a model collection of Luxembourg castles, and — most importantly — Edward Steichen's The Family of Man, inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World register in 2003.
The Family of Man is a permanent installation of 503 photographs from 68 countries, curated by Luxembourg-born Steichen for MoMA in 1955 and gifted to the Grand Duchy in 1994. It's arranged across two floors as a single humanist narrative — birth, love, work, war, peace. Take the free train from Luxembourg-Gare (direct, hourly) and combine with a walk to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Maurice on the ridge opposite. Weekday afternoons are quietest.
Hours
- Wed-Sun 12:00-18:00
- Closed Mon-Tue year-round
- Closed 24-25 Dec, 1 Jan
Good to know
How much is admission?+
The Family of Man $8, students $4, under-21 free. Battle of the Bulge Museum $4 separately. Combined ticket $10.
Are there free-entry hours?+
Under-21s always free at The Family of Man. Free entry on International Museum Day (18 May) and Journées du Patrimoine (mid-September).
How much time is needed?+
The Family of Man needs 90 minutes minimum. Full castle visit including both other museums takes 2.5-3 hours.
When is Clervaux Castle closed?+
Closed every Monday and Tuesday, plus 24-25 December and 1 January. Reduced hours during exhibition changeovers in January.
Do I need advance tickets?+
No, tickets are always available at the door. Groups over 10 should book at steichencollections.lu.
How do I get there by train?+
Free direct trains from Luxembourg-Gare to Clervaux hourly, 65 minutes. The castle is a 10-minute uphill walk from the station.