Last Updated on 6 January 2026 by Vanessa
Clervaux is one of my favorite places in Luxembourg. The town lies in a narrow valley in the north of the country, surrounded by wooded hills of firs and oaks. It is small—just a few streets—and has fewer than 2,000 residents. Within that limited space, you’ll find several restaurants, hotels, shops, and a whitewashed castle that dominates the center of town.
Despite its size, Clervaux has a well-known local figure: a cat named Schnurry.
Meet Schnurry: Clervaux’s best-known resident
Schnurry’s name comes from his tendency to snore.
He loves strolling through the town center. According to his owner Linda, Schnurry’s favorite is the pharmacy. He also spends a lot of time in hotels, restaurants, and shops, where visitors often stop to watch him.
He seeks out attention and behaves more like a dog than a typical house cat.
Over time, he has become an iconic figure in Luxembourg.
During my visit to Clervaux, I had the pleasure of crossing paths with this famous feline.
I was sitting in the brasserie of Hotel Koener when I noticed him sniffing a tree in the middle of Place Princesse Maria Thérésa.
When he saw me, he walked over without hesitation. Linda noticed my interest, picked him up, and let me take a few photographs.
Later that day, I saw Schnurry once again, first in front of Hotel International and then strolling into the Rhino Steak House.
Thanks to Clervaux’s small size, it’s nearly impossible to avoid this cat.
In the unlikely event that you don’t see him, simply call his name. He will quickly come to greet you.
How to get to Clervaux?
Do you want to meet Schnurry, too? Clervaux is easy to reach, whether you travel by plane, train, car, or bus. Here are a few options:
Air
Luxembourg Airport (Findel) is the closest international airport. From there, you can reach Clervaux by taxi or public transport. This journey takes about one hour.
Train
Clervaux has its own train station with direct connections from Luxembourg City. The trip takes roughly one hour and offers scenic views of the Luxembourg countryside.
Car
Clervaux lies in northern Luxembourg and is easily accessible by car, especially from Belgium or Germany. Driving from Luxembourg City takes about 45 minutes.
Driving directions from Luxembourg City:
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Take the A1/E44 northeast.
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After approximately 32 km, take exit 14 toward Mersch / N7 / Clervaux.
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Merge onto the N7 and continue for about 23 km, passing through Mersch and Heiderscheid.
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Follow signs to Château de Clervaux or use GPS.
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Visitor parking is available near the castle.
Bus
Several bus lines connect Clervaux with nearby towns:
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Line 570: Clervaux–Marnach via Heinerscheid
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Lines 570/571: Clervaux–Ettelbruck
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Lines 570/571/572: Clervaux–Ettelbruck–Diekirch
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Line 555: Clervaux–Wiltz
Clervaux itself is compact, and the locations are within walking distance.
Conclusion
Have you ever visited Clervaux? Did you meet Schnurry on your trip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
If you enjoyed Schnurry’s story, feel free to share this article with friends who love cats, travel, or small towns with personality.
Do you want to do even more things in Luxembourg after meeting Schnurry? Then check out this Luxembourg itinerary.
Clervaux as the setting for a supernatural thriller
I traveled to Clervaux while researching a short horror story. That story later appeared in the Dutch anthology Halloween Horror Verhalen. I eventually expanded it into a novel: Clowders.
Clowders is a supernatural thriller in which Clervaux is portrayed as a town with an unusually large cat population.
When the main characters, Aidan and Jess, move there with their daughter Eleonore, they expect a quiet new start. Local stories suggest otherwise. One legend claims that when a cat dies, nine human lives follow. As unexplained deaths begin to coincide with roaming cats, the family questions whether they face superstition, shared fear, or something more serious.
In reality, though, Clervaux has only a small number of cats. During my first visit 15 years ago, a calico cat greeted visitors at the entrance of the 12th-century castle. Unfortunately, that cat no longer lives there.
However, if you walk along Rue Schloff, which circles the castle, you may still see a few cats near houses such as numbers 7 and 9.
Of course, the real cats of Clervaux aren’t malevolent, and the town isn’t cursed either.
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan
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