Mäertchen | Ville de Luxembourg

A traditional market to celebrate the Octave of Pentecost

The roots of the Mäertchen can be traced to the Octave of Pentecost, a religious holiday held to honour the Virgin Mary, who is the patron saint of both the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and its capital. Pilgrims from all over the country and the Greater Region come to Luxembourg City. While the Octave initially lasted for eight days (hence its name), it now takes place over the course of 16 days between Easter and Pentecost, starting on the third Saturday after Easter.

Originally, the Mäertchen gave fasting pilgrims, most of whom came from rural areas and rarely travelled to the city, a chance to get some sustenance while shopping in the city right after mass.

Although the Mäertchen now has more of a carnival atmosphere with its fairground games and rides, it has by no means lost its charm and appeal. Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the city centre to enjoy the food, games and hawker's stands at this quintessentially Luxembourgish fair.

When and where

Dates

29 April to 14 May 2023

Times

The stalls at Place de la Constitution will be open every day from 11:00 to 22:00.

Where

Place de la Constitution.

2023 edition

Attractions and refreshments

As a traditional market with 45 stalls, the "Mäertchen" offers something for everyone – food stalls, games of skill and chance, hook-a-duck, rides for children (merry-go-rounds, planes) – and an opportunity for an enjoyable outing in the heart of the capital.

Even though some of the city's most well-known restaurants will not be attending the event this year, many take-away vendors will be providing facilities for outdoor dining. This means that even the traditional gebakene Fësch (fried fish), along with many other dishes traditionally served at the Mäertchen, will still be available for sit-down and take-away diners.

Accessibility for people with reduced mobility

Every year, the City of Luxembourg has accessibility for people with reduced mobility tested at the market establishments by the association Info-handicap. This assessment is used to provide information to people with reduced mobility, as well as to award the EureWelcome label for temporary tourism and cultural sites, which is granted by the Ministry of the Economy (Ministère de l'Économie). Info-handicap has confirmed that they will be carrying out their accessibility assessment on 28 April 2023.

A public toilet for people with disabilities will also be set up at Place de la Constitution. The toilets located near Cercle Cité, the Knuedler car park and Place de la Constitution will also be open to the public until 22:30 during the Mäertchen.

If you are dropping off someone with reduced mobility, access to the cathedral and market is easier if you let them out on Rue Notre-Dame (near the cathedral). Additional reduced mobility parking spaces are provided on Rue Notre-Dame (opposite the cathedral).

The City of Luxembourg wishes to encourage people with reduced mobility to take full advantage of the existing services and infrastructure by providing all the relevant information about accessibility. For more information on accessibility, please contact the City of Luxembourg's Service intégration et besoins spécifiques (Integration and Special Needs Department) (Tel. 4796-4150, integratioun@vdl.lu).

Links

EureWelcome

Drinking fountains and public toilets

Parking in the city centre

Motorists are advised that due to the "Mäertchen", parking at Place de la Constitution will be prohibited from 15:00 on 21 April 2023 to 20:00 on 19 May 2023.