Luxembourg American Cemetery

About 5 km east of the city centre, the Luxembourg American Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 5,000 US soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge. The ranks of white marble crosses on the lawns are arranged in concentric rings around a chapel — austere, well-tended, and quietly moving.

Reach it on bus 15 from the centre (about 25 minutes). Free entry, daily except major holidays. The German military cemetery at Sandweiler, with 10,000 graves, is 2 km further on.

things to do sight historical site
A story
General George S. Patton is buried among his men — at his own request — rather than back in the United States. His grave, marked by a plain white cross identical to the others, was originally in the middle of the rows; the constant trampling of visitors forced staff to move it to a less destructive spot in front of the grave field.