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© Pancake! Photographie
The Good Life An uplifting experience in Vianden
5 minutes
Floating on a journey through time
Story summary
A ride on the chairlift in Vianden is like travelling back in time, reliving memories of past adventures.
The chairlift offers magnificent views over the landscape and Vianden Castle.
In Vianden you can follow in the footsteps of the writer Victor Hugo.
The dam wall on the edge of the town is home to a unique work of art.
A ride on the chairlift in Vianden is like travelling back in time. Slowly floating, gently swaying, machinery softly rattling. At the top, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the town and castle.
I’m standing in front of the ticket office at the valley station in Vianden. Further ahead, two chairs clatter around the corner. They are silver-grey, simple and surprisingly small. That’s exactly how they were back when I learnt to ski. I was just three years old when I sat on one for the first time, on my father’s lap.
It’s exciting! We climb higher, only a thin bar separates us from tumbling down onto the mountain. At the same time your gaze wanders over the breathtaking landscape, your nose gets colder the higher you go, and you feel free, filled with happiness, a little excited and secure at the same time.
Later, over the years, chairlifts have become futuristic, all-round oases of well-being. Padded to the hilt, heated, and with streamlined hoods to protect against snow and storms. Sometimes, just occasionally, I’ve sat in one of these high-tech armchair lifts, with seven other mountain friends sheltered from the weather and seated on cushions, and quietly missed the old days. The wobbles. The thrills. And now, here in Vianden, it’s all coming back to me on Luxembourg’s only chairlift!
The narrow alleyways, the Gothic churches, the outer wall with its fortified towers - every year, thousands of visitors are drawn to the pretty medieval old town of Vianden, situated at the foot of the mighty, restored castle.
© Pancake! Photographie（https://www.visitluxembourg.com/fileadmin/_processed_/0/4/csm_Vianden_town_L6_048_-_Pancake_Photographie_de8dda6000.jpg）
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Mint a coin for luck!
In front of me, two tourists buy their tickets for the trip to the lofty heights of Vianden. Should I quickly have a two-cent coin pressed into a souvenir medal? As with other places that attract visitors, there is also a minting machine here. Insert a coin, add a second coin for payment, turn the crank and you have a copper-coloured souvenir with Vianden Castle on it. Of course you have to do it – it’s simply part of the ultimate tourist experience! I slide the freshly minted coin into my wallet.
A few steps further on, I’m standing on a yellow circle with an arrow pointing to the lift-off area. A nice young woman waves me over, directs me where to stand, pushes the chair under my buttocks, and off I go! Up towards the summit, just me, the sun and a sense of nostalgia.
I float over houses, the river, a miniature golf course that also reminds me of the past, and glide slowly over gardens in my chair. It goes slowly, very slowly. My gaze wanders calmly. Swinging is forbidden – just like on the ski lifts. Below me in the shade are children in a playground.
Just don't drop your phone!
We cross the Our river. I take a photo, tensing up at the thought that my smartphone could fall off at any time and sink into the water of the river. I hold on tight.
Soon I’m hovering over modern houses and forest. I spot a few hikers from above. And further up, diagonally to the left, sits Vianden Castle. The sun is intense. Next time I’ll have to wear a hat. Shortly before the exit, the path becomes steep and I see flowers blooming below. The machinery squeaks and the seat jumps as cables are tugged through the pulley. At the end of the ride, a sign on one of the poles reads: “Please smile in 50 metres!”
And then, bam! A photo is taken. You can buy the photo once you get off - again with friendly help to avoid accidents. I buy the photo, of course, because I want the whole experience. It comes in a small cardboard presentation cover. I can only pay for it in cash - also old school! While rummaging through the coins in my purse, I come across my copper coin again. It’s delightful!
Vianden © Pancake! Photographie
At the top, I enjoy a cool Coke and soak up the fantastic views all around me. The castle towers to the right and beckons. The path up there is rocky, crosses slate and winds through the forest; it looks wild in places and is impressive. You definitely need sturdy shoes here. I enjoy the impressive castle from afar. I’m not going to visit it today. I climb back down to the town for the last two stops on my journey.
The narrow streets of Vianden are charming. People smile in the sunshine. Like them and now me, the famous writer Victor Hugo once strolled through these streets. He was politically persecuted because at the end of the 19th century he protested against the French government for shooting at its own people during riots. He found his self-chosen and secret exile in Vianden, having already fallen in love with Vianden as a traveller.