Apple Trees in Blossom;
Credit: MNHN.
Luxembourg’s Naturmusée (MNHN - National Museum of Natural History) recently announced a series of free guided tours that will take place in various locations in Luxembourg City until October 2025.
Guided tours of MNHN’s exhibition Sous les Pavés, la nature will take place on selected dates between Sunday 4 May and Sunday 19 October 2025. The exhibition, described as exploring the richness and importance of biodiversity in urban areas, invites visitors to discover the many facets of city wildlife and encourages them to imagine an urban environment in harmony with nature.
Programme Dates and Language:
• Sunday 4 May: French (with curator Laura Daco);
• Sunday 11 May: Luxembourgish (with curator Thierry Helminger);
• Sunday 25 May: Luxembourgish;
• Sunday 15 June: French;
• Sunday 29 June: English;
• Sunday 6 July: Luxembourgish;
• Sunday 27 July: French (with Thierry Helminger);
• Sunday 3 August: Luxembourgish (with Laura Daco);
• Sunday 17 August: French;
• Sunday 24 August: Luxembourgish (with Thierry Helminger);
• Sunday 7 September: French;
• Sunday 28 September: English (with Laura Daco);
• Sunday 12 October: Luxembourgish (with Thierry Helminger);
• Sunday 19 October: Luxembourgish.
Laura Daco stated: “The exhibition ‘Under the cobblestones, nature’ aims to show how, alongside humans, all different species – mammals, birds, insects, plants – can survive and flourish in urban areas. To this end, we have highlighted different aspects of urban biodiversity, including the adaptations presented by certain species”.
According to Thierry Helminger: “There are amazing examples of adapting life to the urban environment. Thus, some species of birds chirp louder in cities and adapt their frequencies to the ambient noise. Or the example of white clover, which produces hydrocyanic acid to protect against herbivores: in urban populations, this capacity gradually disappears because the pressure of predators is lower. This adaptation perfectly illustrates how plant species can evolve rapidly in the face of urban conditions. "
The tours are recommended for those aged ten and over. Reservations in advance are required. For further details and to reserve a place, see https://booking.mnhn.lu/lb-lu/booking/10/50/offers/273.
Kirchberg Arboretum
Self-guided tours through the parks of the Kirchberg Arboretum are being offered once a month from April to October. Thierry Helminger, MNHN botanist and the head of the Arboretum, will provide explanations about plants according to the seasons. Meeting points are Parc Réimerwee/Parc Central (Rue Coudenhove-Calergi- RW/PC) or Parc Klosegrënnchen (1947 Neudorf-Weimershof Luxembourg - KL). Tours will take place from 18:00-19:30 on the following dates:
• Wednesday 30 April: Apple trees in blossom – RW/PC. To register, see https://booking.mnhn.lu/en-gb/offer-for-all-audiences/arboretum-kirchberg-apple-trees-in-blossom
• Wednesday 4 June: A new habitat for orchids – KL. To register, see https://booking.mnhn.lu/en-gb/offer-for-all-audiences/arboretum-kirchberg-a-new-habitat-for-orchids
• Wednesday 2 July: Beeches and oaks – RW/PC
• Wednesday 6 August: Multi-coloured lawn diversity – KL
• Wednesday 17 September: Acorns, beechnuts and other fruits – RW/PC
• Wednesday 15 October Autumn colours, fruits and seeds – KL
Guided tour Kuebebierg
Join the botanist Thierry Helminger for a walk through the Kuebebierg nature reserve, situated right next to the future city quarter Kuebebierg that is currently being developed. Meeting point: Rond Point Boulevard Pierre Frieden (Luxembourg-Kirchberg). The tours will take place from 12:00-14:00.
Meeting dates and languages:
• Friday 30 May: Luxembourgish;
• Friday 27 June: German;
• Friday 25 July: English;
• Friday 22 August: French;
• Friday 26 September: Luxembourgish;
• Friday 17 October: French.
To register, see https://booking.mnhn.lu/en-gb/offer-for-all-audiences/guided-tour-kuebebierg
For further information on all tours, see https://www.mnhn.lu/
