Bour: Forest, Eisch and Village History
Accommodation in Bour
Bour lies on the Eisch. Rising woodland surrounds the village to the north, east and west; to the south, the land slopes gently down, where there are a few meadows and fields. The Mëlleschbaach flows into the Eisch south of Bour. The Source François is another spring still found in the village today. Forest, open spaces and waterways are therefore among the specific features of the landscape around Bour.
Hiking and discovering the surroundings
Bour’s natural surroundings are well suited to walks in the forest. The Auto-Pédestre Tuntange hiking trail passes through Bour and along the edge of the Mariendallerbësch. Sturdy footwear and something to drink are recommended for this trail. The Sentier National de la Vallée des Sept Château lets you experience the valley in which Bour lies. The two trails have different highlights: the Auto-Pédestre’s route through the village and along the forest edge are key features, while the Sentier National focuses on the valley. You can choose between these hiking options depending on whether you are more interested in the village and the Mariendallerbësch or in the valley.
Village layout and chapel
Bour has preserved the basic layout of a traditional street village to this day. The construction of Rue de Luxembourg expanded it somewhat. One clearly identifiable building in the village is the present-day chapel dedicated to Saint Celsus. Built in 1851, it stands at the eastern entrance to the village, where Rue d’Arlon meets Rue de Luxembourg, which leads to Tuntange. Its location ties the chapel to a specific point in the village layout: the junction at the eastern entrance to the village.
The chapel’s design also offers a number of details to discover. Four geometrically designed antique glass windows were created around 1935. The altar features statues of the Madonna and Child, Saint Celsus and Saint Eligius. The Chapel of Saint Celsus on Rue d’Arlon also has an elaborately decorated Baroque tabernacle with a chronogram; above it is an oval niche containing a statue of the Virgin Mary. The windows, altar and tabernacle showcase different aspects of the chapel’s furnishings. Saint Celsus is named both in the chapel’s dedication and among the statues on the altar.
The Eisch, the mill and traditional crafts
The Eisch was also important for the use of its water power in the past: as early as the 13th century, it was used to power the former grain and sawmill in Bour. In the 18th century, locks temporarily made the river navigable to transport iron between the Simmerschmelz and the Ansembourg ironworks. These two historical uses were quite different: water power drove a mill, while the river’s temporary navigability served to transport iron. Charcoal making was also widespread in the area around Bour and continued there until the early 1930s. The village’s history therefore includes both the use of the river and a craft that was practised in the surrounding area for a long time.
If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Bour, you can start by deciding what interests you most: are you primarily interested in the forest and hiking trails, the traditional village layout, or the history of water power, river transport and charcoal making? This can help you choose an area that suits what you are most interested in discovering in Bour.
Discover more destinations: Larochette, Schrondweiler, Mersch, Heffingen, Ansembourg, Nommern, Beringen, TĂĽntingen
Return to the main travel overview: Mersch.
