Passerelle

The Passerelle is a 290-metre viaduct in Luxembourg City’s Ville Haute district. It crosses the Pétrusse valley on 24 arches, rising 45 metres above the valley floor. The structure carries road traffic between Avenue de la Gare and Boulevard Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Locally it is called the Old Bridge, distinguishing it from the newer Adolphe Bridge. Built in the 19th century, it once linked the city centre to the railway station outside the fortress walls. Engineers Achille N. Grenier and Auguste Letellier designed the Passerelle. British firm Waring Brothers carried out the construction between 1859 and 1861. The viaduct’s purpose was to connect the city with the railway while preserving the fortress’s defences. Major repairs took place in 2018 to keep the structure safe. It remains a key route for vehicles entering the old town. Visitors walk along the broad deck and see the valley below framed by the arches. The views extend to the Pétrusse river and surrounding buildings. The stonework shows signs of age and repair, adding character to the crossing. The bridge’s height gives a sense of scale over the deep valley. It is still used daily, carrying cars and pedestrians into the heart of the city.