Grevenmacher is a historic town, but also a commercial centre that has to live daily with the large flow of German border workers who cross its territory on their way to Luxembourg-City. Offering the attractions of the city and the joys of the countryside, the Moselle municipality offers its inhabitants and numerous tourists the possibility of tasting the "Miseler way of life".

The town of Grevenmacher, located in the east of the Grand Duchy on the German border, was already occupied before Roman times. Its fertile land, with the Moselle River flowing through it, was very attractive to the early settlers. Today, some 4,900 inhabitants still enjoy this gentle way of life, which the mayor of the municipality, Léon Gloden, likes to call the "Miseler way of life". The population has stabilised in recent years," he explains. But it is expected to rise again this year, as many building projects are underway. However, we have to be realistic: Grevenmacher is surrounded by vineyards on one side and the Moselle on the other. It is also a town where you can't do just anything, because many buildings are listed. We can therefore hope to increase the population to around 5,500 inhabitants, but not beyond that.

Housing for 350 additional inhabitants

Among these ongoing projects are two projects in the city centre, one by the Housing Fund and the other by the Société Nationale des Habitations à Bon Marché. These projects will make it possible to house an additional 100 inhabitants," continues Léon Gloden. An underground car park will also be built under the SNHBM project, which will increase parking capacity in the city, which is currently quite limited.

Another housing project that is finally set to be completed after decades of procrastination is the "Unter Dem Pietert" special development project, which has been under discussion since the 1960s. A new residential area will be built on a gross area of 3.72 hectares, opposite the Grevenmacher lock. 106 mixed housing units will be built (single-family houses, detached houses, semi-detached houses, etc.) and will provide accommodation for approximately 250 people.

Finally, the face of Grevenmacher could also become a little greener in the next few years, as the new GAP is expected to be voted on in June and will focus on green roofs, among other things.

15,000 to 20,000 border workers per day

Grevenmacher also has a relatively large commercial and industrial fabric. Many retail businesses are located in the town centre, while larger commercial and industrial activities are located in the Potaschbierg area. "We really want to keep the city centre as a retail area. That is why we do not allow such activities in the zoning. It is important to know that there is a great demand for office space here. Given that we are located on the border, many German companies established in Luxembourg and employing almost exclusively border workers would like to set up here to avoid the daily traffic jams", explains the mayor.

This proximity also brings its own mobility problems. 15,000 to 20,000 German border workers pass through Grevenmacher every day," explains Léon Gloden. They have no choice but to cross the bridge over the Moselle and go through the centre before joining the motorway to Luxembourg. This is obviously a difficult thing to manage at municipal level. Initiatives have even been taken to reduce this large flow of vehicles, including the construction of a "park and ride" on the Luxembourg side. "However, the Germans would have to do the same on their side for things to really improve," says the mayor. A Flexibus and a Ruffbus also provide alternatives for public transport mobility.

The advantages of the city, the calm of the countryside

Although Grevenmacher has the same mobility problems as any other town, it also has the advantages of an urban structure, starting with a good range of sports facilities, complemented by the recently built hall and a clubhouse soon to be built for the football club. There is an athletics track, tennis courts and a swimming pool, to which two parallel slides will be added. There are also many doctors and a medical centre is being built. I fought hard for this project," says Léon Gloden, who has also been a member of parliament since 2009. There is even a chance that this medical centre will include an MRI, which would be very good news for the region. Culture will also be spoiled in the coming months as a new cultural centre is to be built.

All of this adds to the tourist appeal of Grevenmacher, which is already well supported by its status as a wine town, including the Bernard-Massard cellars and Domaines Vinsmoselle and the annual Grape and Wine Festival, which attracts 20,000 people. A new quay has been built along the Moselle for passenger embarkation, and the range of tourist accommodation has been expanded, including a very attractive campsite and various holiday homes. With all these projects, the "Miseler way of life" is likely to attract both new residents and tourists from all over the world!