A very tidy landscape

Clervaux is a town that looks like it was designed by a very organized painter. It is tucked away in a narrow valley in the north of Luxembourg. In many places a railway and a river would fight for space and look like a mess. Here the Clerve river and the train tracks sit side by side in perfect silence. It is the kind of harmony that makes you feel slightly inadequate about your own messy life.

Nature doing its job

The town is surrounded by thick green forests that climb up the steep hills. This is the Luxembourgish countryside at its absolute best. The trees provide a very dramatic backdrop for the stone buildings and the castle. It is very peaceful until a group of loud tourists arrives to take the same photo as everyone else. The air is fresh and the grass is very green because it rains quite a lot in this part of the world.

The river that takes its time

The Clerve river flows through the centre of the town with zero sense of urgency. It winds its way around the rocks and under the bridges without making much of a fuss. It is not a massive or powerful river but it looks very nice in the background of a selfie. The water reflects the colourful houses and the old church towers.

Modern transport in an old setting

The train line is perhaps the most impressive part of the view. The tracks follow the curves of the valley and disappear into tunnels through the hills. Seeing a modern double decker train glide past an ancient forest is a strange experience. It is a reminder that you can enjoy the wilderness without having to walk for three days to get there. You can just sit by the water and watch the world go by on schedule.