I arrived in Luxembourg City on Sunday afternoon, just in time to witness preparations for the National Day festivities. After a quick walking tour and a bite to eat, I made my way to a campsite located a few kilometers outside the city. Given the intense heat and my growing aversion to crowds, I decided to skip the evening celebrations and stay at the campsite instead.
When I went to sleep, it was still 25°C; by morning, the temperature had dropped to 11°C. As a result, the outer shell of my tent was soaked with condensation. I had no choice but to pack my wet gear together with my dry clothes, hoping that my next stop would bring enough sunshine to dry everything out.
I left the suburbs of Luxembourg later than usual — despite the condensation and temperature drop, I’d slept longer than I had all week. My next destination was Schengen, a small village where Luxembourg, France, and Germany meet. Apart from its symbolic importance, Schengen is actually quite unremarkable — not especially charming, and small enough to ride through in under a minute. No visa required.
From there, I joined the Moselle River and followed its path all the way to Metz, my overnight stop. Although it wasn’t sunny when I arrived, a steady breeze helped dry out my tent and other gear almost instantly. The campground was ideally located — right on the riverbank and just a few minutes’ walk from the city center.
I took advantage of the location and went for a stroll. It turned out to be a very pleasant one: cool, breezy, and far less crowded than the previous cities I’d visited. Metz Cathedral’s stained glass windows are absolutely stunning, covering vast sections of the interior walls. Some were even designed by Marc Chagall. I also visited the Musée de la Cour d’Or, which showcases the city’s history from the Gallo-Roman period through the Middle Ages — a beautifully curated exhibition.
Before heading back, I treated myself to a local specialty: a mirabelle plum tart. I topped it off with some ice cream and returned to the campsite content.
Today in Numbers:
90 km – distance cycled
125 000 USD – Luxembourg’s GDP per capita (ranked #1 in the world)
200,000 – daily commuters into Luxembourg from France, Germany, and Belgium
170 – nationalities living in Luxembourg
21 500 m² – of stained glass in Metz Cathedral
15 000 – Mirabelle trees surrounding Metz