More than a Postcard

Since the 19th century, Luxembourg has established itself as a fascinating travel destination. Its varied landscapes and rich history have long captivated visitors. At first, it was mainly travellers from neighbouring regions who discovered its valleys, forests, and river landscapes as places of leisure and relaxation. With the development of transport infrastructure, the Grand Duchy gradually opens up to tourism, and the city of Luxembourg is at the heart of this development.

As the country’s political, economic, and cultural centre, it not only marks the starting point of many journeys but also shapes the image visitors take away with them. Its dramatic topography, historic fortifications, and old town, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, made it an attraction in its own right at an early stage. In the 20th century, this dynamic intensifies: while tourism develops across the country, the city becomes a European meeting point thanks to its international institutions and an expanding cultural offer. It thus contributes to the emergence of new forms of travel, from the traditional city break to business and conference tourism.

The Photothèque. de la Ville de Luxembourg. traces these journeys in images: from arrival to strolling through the city, from discovering sites to moments of rest and observation, and on to the search for the perfect shot or the writing of postcards. The photographs are not only records of ‘classic’ tourist activities; they also reflect the transformations of the city and its visitors. Whereas foreign visitors were still rare in the 19th century, the gradual introduction of paid holidays across Europe from the early 20th century enabled increasing numbers of people to travel. Post-war economic growth and rising living standards then gave tourism a further boost.

With digital connectivity and the rise of smartphones, perspectives are shifting today: selfies are replacing postcards, making travellers’ global visibility part of the experience itself. Yet many motivations and expectations remain strikingly constant: the search for new impressions, for relaxation, and for memories.

For the first time, the Photothèque also showcases photographs by Luxembourg-based photographers who themselves travelled abroad as tourists. Their journeys took them across Europe, North Africa, and overseas. These highly personal perspectives add a previously unknown dimension to the story of tourism.

In July and August, additional photographs will be on display on the pedestrian walkway connecting Place de la Gare with the Bonnevoie district. A place of arrival and departure, of intersecting routes, expectations, and encounters, the railway station provides an ideal setting to anchor this theme in the urban space.

The exhibition bridges the gap between arrival and departure, presenting Luxembourg not only as a destination but also as a starting point for journeys. Between the perspectives of those who arrive and those who depart unfolds a plural narrative of travel, showing how it has evolved and how the curiosity to discover the world and preserve its traces remains remarkably constant.