The Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart, formerly known as the MNHA, is the national museum of archaeology, history and art, and it sits on the Marché-aux-Poissons, the oldest square in the city. It took its current name in 2023, after the Fish Market site. The collections run from prehistory to the present. The archaeology galleries are partly carved into the rock beneath the building, and the highlights include a Roman mosaic from the villa at Vichten, dating to around 240 AD. Upstairs there are paintings, decorative arts, Art Deco pieces from the Villeroy and Boch porcelain works and a medal collection. Best of all for travellers, the permanent exhibitions are free, which makes it the perfect rainy-day stop in the Old Town.
How to visit: walk in for the free permanent galleries; temporary exhibitions may charge a modest fee, with free entry for under-26s and in the last hour before closing. The museum is closed on Mondays and opens late on Thursday evenings, which is a good way to avoid daytime groups.
What to expect: the building is a striking mix of old houses and a modern extension, and the descent into the rock-cut archaeology rooms is a highlight. Labels are multilingual, and the scale is manageable in a couple of hours.
Making the most of it: start with the Vichten mosaic and the archaeology rooms, then work up through the art floors. The Lëtzebuerg City Museum is a few minutes away if you want the story of the city itself, and the Bock Casemates and the Corniche are just down the street. The museum is also included in the seven-museum city pass if you plan a museum-heavy trip.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit through archaeology, history and art galleries, partly set in the rock.
Best time
Thursday evenings or weekday mornings; closed Mondays.
How long
About two hours.
Tips
Start in the rock-cut archaeology rooms and look for the Vichten mosaic.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Rainy days and anyone curious about Luxembourg beyond the fortress.
- Families
- Free entry and Roman finds make it an easy family stop.
- Couples
- A late Thursday visit, then dinner around the Fish Market.
- Pair with
- The Bock Casemates, the Corniche and the museum pass.
- Time needed
- About two hours.
Good questions
Is the Nationalmusée free?+
Yes, the permanent exhibitions are free; temporary shows may charge a fee.
When is it closed?+
On Mondays; it opens late on Thursdays.
Is this the same as the MNHA?+
Yes, the museum took the name Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart in 2023.
What is the highlight?+
The Roman mosaic from Vichten and the archaeology galleries cut into the rock.
Where is it?+
On the Marché-aux-Poissons square in the Old Town, near the Bock.
