Arlon: Roman Traces and the View from the Belvédère

Arlon offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: from the Belvédère, you can look out over the city and surrounding region, while archaeological finds and historic stone features offer different insights. You can consider whether you would like to shape your stay around a view, Roman traces, or details spanning several centuries.

Belvédère: Climb and Panoramic View

The Belvédère was built between 1905 and 1907 and inaugurated in 1908. The construction period and subsequent inauguration give the structure a clearly defined chronology. There are 144 steps to the top; from there, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Arlon and the surrounding region. Both the climb and the expansive view are therefore defining features of this destination. The number of steps makes the route to the top tangible, while the panoramic view extends beyond the city.

Roman Heritage and Archaeological Traces

The Jupiter Tower is recognised as part of Wallonia’s exceptional cultural heritage. At the Neptune Tower, worked stone remains are visible in the foundations of the wall. These two details highlight different aspects: the Jupiter Tower is notable for its recognition as cultural heritage, while the Neptune Tower features visible traces of stoneworking. Those interested in architectural history will find more than just a name or a construction date to prompt a closer look.

Arlon Archaeological Park is also one of the town’s Roman sites. Remains of Roman baths and a hypocaust were found there. A hypocaust is a Roman system for heating rooms through the floor. These terms refer both to the use of the site for bathing and to a specific historical heating technology. They offer an accessible way to understand the finds: baths bring to mind communal bathing facilities, while the hypocaust reveals a technical aspect of everyday Roman life.

Many crosses from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries can also still be seen in the Archaeological Park. These three centuries give the crosses a timeframe spanning several eras. Together with the Roman finds, they draw attention to different historical layers, without suggesting that all the remains date from the same period.

Routes and Getting There: Planning

The Montée Royale provides access to the forecourt of Saint-Donatus Church. This is a separate point of reference for anyone who would also like to plan their explorations around a specific part of the city. When planning, you can distinguish between this route, the climb to the Belvédère and the historical sites, rather than treating them as a single attraction.

The Brussels–Namur–Luxembourg railway line passes through Arlon every hour. As timetables can change, check the connection for your travel date before setting off. When choosing a holiday apartment in Arlon, it may help to first decide on the main focus of your stay: views, archaeological traces, historic buildings or the various visible remains.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Neufchâteau, Bouillon, Marche-En-Famenne, Beffe, Messancy, Roy, Fisenne, Mormont.

For the main travel overview: Luxembourg.