Arlon (German and Luxembourgish: Arel, Dutch: Aarlen) is the capital of the southernmost Belgian province of Luxembourg. The town counts approximately 30,000 inhabitants and is often seen as the Belgian gate to the country of Luxembourg. Together with Tongeren and Tournai it is one of the oldest cities in Belgium.
Understand
[edit]Arlon was founded due to its location at the crossing of the Roman roads connecting Reims, Trier and Cologne. During Roman times Arlon was called Orolaunum Vicus.
- 1 Tourist Centre, Rue des Faubourgs 2, ☏ +32 63 21 94 54, [email protected].
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]Arlon is by train fairly easy accessible from the larger Belgian cities of Brussels, Liège and Namur. From the central station of Brussels, the journey takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. From Namur Arlon is 1 hour and 40 minutes away. In the other direction it is only 20 minutes away from the city of Luxembourg in the namesake country. The 1 Train Station is located about 300 meters south of the historical centre.
By car
[edit]Arlon is located right next to the E25 highway between Liège and the city of Luxembourg. When arriving from Namur or Liège it is advisable to get off at the Arlon exit. When arriving from Luxembourg it is more convenient to get off at the Longwy exit already.
Get around
[edit]
The historical centre of Arlon is small and easily covered on foot. To see the sights that are a bit outside Arlon it is advised to use a car or by bike when the weather allows so. The tourist centre at Rue des Faubourgs rents out 3 e-bikes and 2 regular bikes.
See
[edit]- 1 Roman Tower (Tour Romaine), Rue du Pont-Levis.
- 2 Town Hall (Hôtel de ville), Rue Paul Reuter 8.
- 3 Source of the Semois river, Rue des Tanneries.
- 4 Jupiter Column, Grand-Rue. The original column was discovered in 1972 during construction works. This column is a replica placed here in the 1990s to evoke the Gallo-Roman past of the city.
- 5 Provincial Palace (Palais Provincial), Place Léopold.
Religious buildings
[edit]- 6 St. Donat's church, Square Elisabeth. This church is situated on the central hill of the town, La Kippchen, that also by the Gallo-Roman people was used as a centre of habitation and defense. In the 11th century a stronghold was built on this hill, which later got destroyed by the French in 1558. Between 1621 and 1626 the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin built their abbey and church on the ruins of the stronghold. From the church tower you can have an undisturbed view on Belgium, Luxembourg and France. The carillon every hour plays Zu Arel op der Knippchen, a traditional song of the Arlon region and the officious hymn of the Belgian province of Luxembourg.
- 7 Church of Saint-Martin, Square Albert 1er 31. This church was built in order of Belgian king Leopold II between 1907 and 1914 in neo-Gothic style and was consecrated in 1937. Inside the church the stained glass windows stand out, especially the large rose window. The tower is 97 meters high and makes it the highest church of Wallonia and guarantees the church also the seventh spot in the list of the 10 highest churches of Belgium.
- 8 Sacred Heart Church, Rue des Déportés. The Church of the Sacred Heart in Arlon is a Catholic Romanesque-Byzantine church. It was built at the end of the 19th century and became a parish church at the end of the 20th century.
- 9 Synagogue, Rue de la Synagogue. The Synagogue of Arlon is the oldest one in Belgium and was built in 1863-1865 in neo-Roman style for the Jewish community which at that time counted 150 people. Services are rare since almost all Jewish people have left Arlon.
Museums
[edit]- 10 Gaspar Museum (Musée Gaspar), Rue des Martyrs 16, ☏ +32 63 60 06 54. This museum displays the works of the Arlon born sculptor Jean Gaspar (1861-1931).
- 11 Archeological Museum (Musée Archéologique), ☏ +32 63 21 28 49. One of the finest archeological museums in the country. The museum displays a large collection of archeological finds from the province of Luxembourg. It is known for its Gallo-Roman section. Its collection of Roman sculptures and Merovingian funerary art is one of the best in the world.
Do
[edit]- 1 Cinema Ciné Espace, rue de Diekirch 36, ☏ +32 63 22 45 62.
- 2 L'Entrepôt, Rue Zénobe Gramme 2, ☏ +32 63 45 60 84. Small concert venue.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Le Chef est Une Femme, Rue des Capucins 6, ☏ +32 63 57 84 26. Nicely served food. French cuisine. Mains €19-€29.
- 2 Kalinka, Rue des Faubourgs 21, ☏ +32 63 60 11 68. M, Tu closed. Russian restaurant.
- 3 La Couscoussière, Rue de Diekirch 50, ☏ +32 63 38 36 44. Moroccan restaurant. Mains €15-€24.
Drink
[edit]Arlon, despite being the regional capital, is a fairly small town and therefore the drinking options are limited.
- 1 Soho English Pub, Rue de Diekirch 18, ☏ +32 63 67 67 27. Open from 16:00, on Su from 15:00, M closed.
- 2 Coconuts, Place Didier 17, ☏ +32 63 22 51 12.
- 3 Le Colysée, Rue des Faubourgs 65, ☏ +32 63 23 24 07.
Sleep
[edit]There are no youth hostels in Arlon. The nearest youth hostels can be found in Bouillon and the city of Luxembourg.
- 1 TRULLI, Avenue Jean-Baptiste Nothomb 2, ☏ +32 63 21 81 79.
- 2 Best Western Hôtel Arlux, Rue de Lorraine, ☏ +32 63 23 22 11. This hotel with 78 rooms is located a bit outside of the town in proximity of the highway. The hotel offers free parking spaces. from €63.75.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Head deeper into the hinterland of Belgian Luxembourg with the towns of Bastogne, Bouillon or Florenville.
- The capital city of Luxembourg is only a 20 minutes train ride away.