Visit of Pope Francis: Traffic Will Be Prohibited in the Upper Town

On the occasion of the historic visit of Pope Francis to Luxembourg, significant disruptions are expected regarding traffic and parking in the capital.

The official visit of Pope Francis to Luxembourg City, scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 2024, will lead to considerable changes in traffic and parking habits. The City of Luxembourg has published detailed information to best guide residents, merchants, and visitors in order to avoid inconveniences. Reinforced security measures and temporary mobility restrictions will be implemented to ensure the smooth running of this exceptional event.

Extensive Traffic Restrictions

The heart of the Luxembourg capital will be most affected. Specifically, motor vehicle traffic will be prohibited throughout the day, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Deliveries to shops will be allowed but only between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.

The traffic ban will apply within a perimeter bordered by Boulevard du Prince, Avenue Marie-Thérèse, Boulevard Roosevelt, and Rue des Bains. Traffic on Boulevard de la Pétrusse will be cut off starting the day before, from 7 p.m.

Please note: Parking will be prohibited throughout the affected perimeter. The traffic ban also applies to bicycles.

Regarding parking, certain streets around the security perimeter and some streets in the Gare district will also be subject to parking restrictions. It is advisable to refer to the map below for details on the affected streets.

Prioritize Park-and-Ride (P+R)

The City of Luxembourg advises residents to plan their journeys in advance. For those wishing to visit the route of the papal visit, authorities recommend using park-and-ride facilities (P+R), then taking public transport or opting for soft mobility solutions such as walking or cycling to move around the city. It should be noted that public transport will also be adjusted throughout the duration of the event. The tram will provide a connection between Luxembourg Stadium and the city center.

In general, the tram will operate all day. However, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., its operation will be suspended between the Hamilius and Central Station stops. The tram will only run on the Luxexpo-Hamilius and Gare-Luxembourg Stadium sections. The Place de Paris and Place de Metz stations will not be served during this period.

Parking Restrictions in the City Center

It is also important to know that city center parking lots will be subject to restrictions, particularly for the Knuedler, Glacis, Monterey, and Saint-Esprit parking lots.

• Knuedler: It will be closed from midnight on Wednesday to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Exits will only be allowed until 8 a.m. This applies to all parking users, including subscribers.
• Glacis: The upper part of Glacis will remain closed. Inaccessible since last Sunday due to the Tour of Luxembourg, the parking lot will remain closed until noon on Friday. The lower part will also be inaccessible from midnight on Wednesday until 8 p.m. on Friday.
• Monterey: With the closure of Boulevard Prince-Henri from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., access to the parking lot will only be possible via Avenue Monterey.
• Saint-Esprit: Access to the parking lot will only be possible via Boulevard F.-D.-Roosevelt, heading towards the viaduct, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.