Programme
From mid-July to mid-September, Place Léon XIII will undergo a metamorphosis, becoming a place where people can meet, relax and discover a range of activities, right in the heart of the district.
Throughout the summer, everyone is invited to come and enjoy the free temporary installations – including the Open Air Cinema, which will be moving to your district for a weekend in August.
Also, from Thursday to Sunday, the square will be the venue for a number of free events, such as workshops and live entertainment, promising an enjoyable experience for all ages.
Main themes covered in the programme:
- Opportunities to meet others
- Culture and heritage
- Nature and biodiversity
- Children and families
- Sport and well-being
July
| Date | Time | Activity | Description | Organiser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 16 July | 16:00-21:00 | Grande Table Urbaine | Official launch of the "Mäi Quartier, Meng Plaz" (My Neighbourhood, My Place) initiative, bringing people together around the Big Community Table (Grande Table Urbaine). | City of Luxembourg |
| Saturday, 18 July | 10:00-12:00 | Terra – information stand / pickup | Information stand and collection point organised as part of the Terra project. | |
| Wednesday, 22 July | 18:30-20:30 | Community cycling session | Come together with your neighbours for a fun cycling session. Check out Panaché Vëlo's Instagram stories the day before each outing to get all the details, as well as any changes or last-minute updates. | Panaché Vëlo |
| Thursday, 23 July | 17:30–19:30 | Green facades workshop | Discover how façade greening works and how it can contribute to a healthier urban environment. | Thécla Kirsch and SIAS |
| Friday, 24 July | 14:00-15:00 | "D'Welt vun de Beien" workshop | Discover the fascinating world of bees through an interactive workshop. What does beekeeper do? How do bees build their hive? How is honey made, and what different types are there? Explore the secrets of the world of bees during this workshop for people all ages. | Activités nature, Service Enseignement (Education Department) |
| Saturday, 25 July | 10:00-12:00 | Terra – information stand / pickup | Information stand and collection point organised as part of the Terra project. | |
| Wednesday, 29 July | 18:30-20:30 | Community cycling session | Come together with your neighbours for a fun cycling session. Check out Panaché Vëlo's Instagram stories the day before each outing to get all the details, as well as any changes or last-minute updates. | Panaché Vëlo |
| Friday, 31 July | 16:00-20:00 | "Chantier changement de regard" (Changing perspectives) workshop | Creative workshop: create your own wish tree. The aim is to create a space for dialogue, exchange and expression, inviting everyone to question the way they perceive others, reflect on the origins of their assumptions and explore new ways of seeing the world. | Inter-Actions ASBL / Ensemble Gare-Bonnevoie & ATD Quart Monde |
August
| Date | Time | Activity | Description | Organiser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 1 August | 10:00-12:00 | Terra – information stand / pickup | Information stand and collection point organised as part of the Terra project. | |
| Wednesday, 5 August | 18:30-20:30 | Community cycling session | Come together with your neighbours for a fun cycling session. Check out Panaché Vëlo's Instagram stories the day before each outing to get all the details, as well as any changes or last-minute updates. | Panaché Vëlo |
| Thursday, 6 August | 21:15 | City Open Air Cinema | Open-air movie screenings. | Cinémathèque |
| Wednesday, 7 August | 16:00-20:00 | "Chantier changement de regard" (Changing perspectives) workshop | Creative workshop: create your own wish tree. The aim is to create a space for dialogue, exchange and expression, inviting everyone to question the way they perceive others, reflect on the origins of their assumptions and explore new ways of seeing the world. | Inter-Actions ASBL / Ensemble Gare-Bonnevoie & ATD Quart Monde |
| Wednesday, 7 August | 21:15 | City Open Air Cinema | Open-air movie screenings. | Cinémathèque |
| Saturday, 8 August | 10:00-12:00 | Terra – information stand / pickup | Information stand and collection point organised as part of the Terra project. | |
| Saturday, 8 August | 21:15 | City Open Air Cinema | Open-air movie screenings. | Cinémathèque |
| Wednesday, 12 August | 18:30-20:30 | Community cycling session | Come together with your neighbours for a fun cycling session. Check out Panaché Vëlo's Instagram stories the day before each outing to get all the details, as well as any changes or last-minute updates. | Panaché Vëlo |
| Thursday, 13 August | 17:30–19:30 | Neighbourhood after-work | A friendly and welcoming gathering where residents can meet their neighbours, strengthen community ties and promote integration, social diversity and quality of life in the neighbourhood. | Inter-Actions ASBL / Ensemble Gare-Bonnevoie |
| Friday, 14 August | 19:00–22:00 | Silent Disco | Headphones on, let's share the moment! A fun, intergenerational evening hosted by DJ Luke Skywalker and DJ Bob Christy, featuring the biggest hits from the '80s, '90s, and 2000s. | Tiers-Lieu Bonnevoie / Inter-Actions asbl |
| Saturday, 15 August | 10:00-12:00 | Terra – information stand / pickup | Information stand and collection point organised as part of the Terra project. | |
| Wednesday, 19 August | 18:30-20:30 | Community cycling session | Come together with your neighbours for a fun cycling session. Check out Panaché Vëlo's Instagram stories the day before each outing to get all the details, as well as any changes or last-minute updates. | Panaché Vëlo |
| Thursday, 20 August | 14:30–16:30 | Tuffi on Tour – Storytime for kids | Children are invited to discover the joy of reading through captivating stories and a selection of books, right in their own neighborhood. | Lëtzebuerg City Bibliothèque |
| Friday, 21 August | 18:00–19:00 | Readings by Luxembourg authors | Meet Luxembourg authors and discuss their work at this informal gathering. | Kremart |
| Wednesday, 26 August | 18:30-20:30 | Community cycling session | Come together with your neighbours for a fun cycling session. Check out Panaché Vëlo's Instagram stories the day before each outing to get all the details, as well as any changes or last-minute updates. | Panaché Vëlo |
September
| Date | Time | Activity | Description | Organiser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 2 September | 18:30-20:30 | Community cycling session | Come together with your neighbours for a fun cycling session. Check out Panaché Vëlo's Instagram stories the day before each outing to get all the details, as well as any changes or last-minute updates. | Panaché Vëlo |
| Friday, 4 September | 17:00-20:00 | Grande Table Urbaine (Big Community Table) | Gather around the table! The neighbourhood comes together for a communal meal. Everyone is invited to bring a dish to share and help create an international feast celebrating flavours, connections and cultural exchange. | Tiers-Lieu Bonnevoie / Inter-Actions asbl |
| Saturday, 5 September | 10:00-12:00 | Terra – information stand / pickup | Information stand and collection point organised as part of the Terra project. | |
| Wednesday, 9 September | 18:30-20:30 | Community cycling session | Come together with your neighbours for a fun cycling session. Check out Panaché Vëlo's Instagram stories the day before each outing to get all the details, as well as any changes or last-minute updates. | Panaché Vëlo |
| Friday, 11 September | to be confirmed | Historical guided tour | Discover the neighbourhood's history and heritage during this guided tour. | Municipal archives |
| Saturday, 12 September | 10:00-12:00 | Terra – information stand / pickup | Information stand and collection point organised as part of the Terra project. |
Background
A district marked by history and solidarity
Bonnevoie residents and visitors, do you know the history of this district and this square? Here's a little background to help you gain a better understanding of this iconic Luxembourg City district.
Ancient origins
The name "Bonnevoie" most likely derives from the Latin bona via ("good road") or bonus vicus ("pleasant place to live"), reminding us that this area was important as far back as Roman times.
In the 13th century, the Cistercian nuns founded the Notre-Dame de Bonnevoie abbey on the site of a former leper house. The abbey had a strong influence on local life for nearly six centuries. Located outside the Luxembourg ramparts, it endured repeated plundering and destruction during various wars. In 1794, French revolutionary troops destroyed the abbey once and for all, and the religious community was soon dissolved.
To this day, the entrance gate on Rue de Bonnevoie and Place du Parc, formerly the convent's gardens, are a testament to this past.
Between fortress and industrial development
Located outside the city's fortifications along the road to Thionville, Bonnevoie was near Fort Neipperg – which was on the heights of Verlorenkost – and Fort Wedell, across from what is now Luxembourg Central Station, which was originally called Bonnevoie Station.
The dismantling of the fortress of Luxembourg, which was dictated by the 1867 Treaty of London, paved the way for the district to grow quickly as the industrial revolution unfolded.
The population surged in the late 19tth century. The residents financed the construction of Saint Joseph's Church, where the first masses were held in 1888, before the building was even completed.
The economic boom also enabled the municipality of Hollerich, which Bonnevoie was located in, to become a city in 1914, under the name Hollerich-Bonnevoie. Hollerich-Bonnevoie then became the Grand Duchy's third most populous municipality after Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette, but its existence was short-lived, as it was merged with Luxembourg City, Eich, Rollingergrund and Hamm on 26 March 1920.
Located near the train station, Bonnevoie was battered by bombardments during the two world wars, which claimed many victims. On 9 August 1944, Allied bombardments destroyed Saint Joseph's Church. The church was replaced in 1952 by the Mary Queen of Peace Church.
Leo XIII and Pierre Krier
Place Léon XIII honours Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903), who was renowned for advocating for social justice and the working class.
One of the district's major thoroughfares is named after Pierre Krier (1885–1947), a Bonnevoie native, trade unionist and labour minister. He was a leading figure in Luxembourg's social movement and embodied the district's attachment to solidarity and social progress.
We want to hear what you think!
The temporary installations were designed to foster a sense of community, provide a space for leisure activities and encourage social interactions across the city's districts. We'd like to know more about your own experience:
- Did you enjoy this space?
- Was the atmosphere welcoming?
- What aspects would you like to see preserved, enhanced or expanded in the future?
Your remarks, ideas and suggestions are important to us, as they will help us assess the project and shape the future of Luxembourg City's public spaces. Your voice matters! Use this space, take part in the activities and share your views. Your feedback will help shape the future of our city's public spaces.
